Warbird Information Exchange

No injuries reported.

"I have just had a call from an insider at Ardmore who has given me the story as it actually occurred and has asked me to post it. This has apparently been sanctioned by Avspecs staff to be posted here to clear up the rumours and innuendo from the armchair experten.

Firstly there was NO groundloop.

I am told that Doug Brooker had landed fine, and was taxiing on the hard taxiway. He was aware there was a line up of aircraft behind him so he decided to pull off the taxiway onto the grass to let them go by, out of courtesy.

The grass was boggier than he expected, the wheels bogged down and the aircraft simply tipped gently onto its nose, possibly aided by the wind.

Three propeller blades were broken as they impacted the soft ground, damaged beyond repair. The fourth has a ding probably from debris off the other blades. The Avspecs team are not even that sure they need to strip the engine to check its shockloading and will make a decision very soon. It may just mean sourcing replacement blades, fitment and back to flight.

This is an unfortunate incident that could have happened to anyone in a tail dragger. End of story."