Avid Speedwing, G-RAFV, 2 August 2010

30 © Crown copyright 2011 AAIB Bulletin: 12/2011 G-RAFV EW/G2010/08/21 (and EW/G2010/06/39) ACCIDENT Aircraft Type and Registration: Avid Speedwing, G-RAFV No & Type of Engines: 1 Jabiru Aircraft PTY 2200A piston engine Year of Manufacture: 1992 Date & Time (UTC): 2 August 2010 at 1900 hrs (and 22 June 2010 at 1810 hrs) Location: Firs Farm, Leckhampstead, West Berkshire Type of Flight: Private Persons on Board: Crew - 1 Passengers - 1 Injuries: Crew - None Passengers - None Nature of Damage: Damage to right landing gear, lower fuselage tubes, cockpit cross truss and wheel axles Commander’s Licence: Private Pilot’s Licence Commander’s Age: 54 years Commander’s Flying Experience: 408 hours (of which 22 were on type) Last 90 days - 14 hours Last 28 days - 3 hours Information Source: Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot and subsequent form submitted by co-owner for previous event on 22 June 2010 Synopsis On 2 August 2010 the aircraft ground looped during a landing at a farm strip. This had occurred previously, on 22 June 2010, to a co-owner. The pilot in the August event reported that only light lateral force was required for the tailwheel to castor freely, with weak centering springs making directional control difficult. With the mechanical problem rectified, the pilot reported the ground handling much improved. The accidents were not reported to the AAIB at the time as the two pilots did not appreciate that this is a statutory requirement. History of the flight On 2 August the pilot was returning to the Firs Farm airstrip after a local flight of circuit familiarisation, on an evening with light winds. He reports that the touchdown was uneventful, straight and well under control but then, whilst rolling out, he lost directional control of the aircraft, despite the stick being held fully back. A yaw to the right developed while the aircraft was still rolling at speed and as this tightened the aircraft left the strip. The ground loop ended abruptly when the aircraft ran into deep tractor ruts along the side of the runway and the right-hand landing gear collapsed, with further airframe structural damage. Both occupants exited safely through the pilot’s door. 31 © Crown copyright 2011 AAIB Bulletin: 12/2011 G-RAFV EW/G2010/08/21 (and EW/G2010/06/39) The pilot commented in his report that this was the second ground loop this aircraft had suffered in a few months. Investigation showed that only light lateral force was required for the tailwheel to “break out” and castor freely, with weak centering springs. This made directional control on the ground very difficult and that, with the mechanical problem rectified, the pilot reported that “the ground manners were much improved”. The previous event with this aircraft, while being flown by a co-owner, had occurred on 22 June 2010 at the same airstrip. On this occasion directional control had been lost at lower speed, about 20 kt, and the damage, which occurred when the aircraft encountered the tractor ruts to the right of the runway, was confined to the structure supporting the tailwheel. Both accidents met the criteria for a ‘Reportable Accident’ within the ‘Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996’ but were not initially reported by the pilots to the AAIB. At the time of the subsequent Permit renewal for this aircraft, the LAA (Light Aircraft Association) brought this requirement to the owners’ attention and they subsequently supplied completed accident report forms on both accidents to the AAIB.

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Avid Speedwing, G-RAFV, 2 August 2010

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Avid Speedwing, G-RAFV

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Avid Speedwing, G-RAFV 12-11.pdf

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