Flight Design CTSW, G-DEWE, 6 April 2013

61� Crown copyright 2013 AAIB Bulletin: 7/2013 G-DEWE EW/G2013/04/16 ACCIDENT Aircraft Type and Registration: Flight Design CTSW, G-DEWE No & Type of Engines: 1 Rotax 912ULS piston engine Year of Manufacture: 2009 (Serial no: 8435) Date & Time (UTC): 6 April 2013 at 1320 hrs Location: Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire Type of Flight: Private Persons on Board: Crew - 1 Passengers - 1 Injuries: Crew - 1 (Serious) Passengers - 1 (Minor) Nature of Damage: Severe damage to forward fuselage and fin Commander’s Licence: National Private Pilot’s Licence Commander’s Age: 77 years Commander’s Flying Experience: 1,574 hours (of which 183 were on type) Last 90 days - 3 hours Last 28 days - 3 hours Information Source: Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot Synopsis The aircraft bounced slightly on landing. The pilot opened the throttle to assist with controlling the aircraft, but the engine did not respond. After a series of pitch excursions, the nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft inverted. History of the flight The aircraft was landing at Old Sarum following a flight from Dunkeswell Airfield near Exeter. The purpose of the 50 minute flight had been to check the operation of a recently installed oil thermostat system. The pilot contacted Old Sarum at about 10 nm range, and positioned for an approach to Runway 06. He flew a low drag, low power descent, in order to check that oil temperature was maintained. He checked the engine response during the descent, and it was satisfactory. The weather conditions were fine, with an estimated surface wind from 070° at 15 kt. The pilot experienced turbulent air, so flew the final approach 10 kt faster than usual, with a reduced flap setting. He flared the aircraft and flew level above the runway to slow down. The aircraft dropped onto the runway on its main wheels, causing it to make a small bounce. The pilot opened the throttle to assist with controlling the bounce, but the engine did not respond. The aircraft then entered a series of divergent pitch excursions, resulting in collapse of the nose landing gear. The propeller dug into the grass runway surface and the aircraft inverted. 62� Crown copyright 2013 AAIB Bulletin: 7/2013 G-DEWE EW/G2013/04/16 The pilot and his passenger were both wearing full harnesses. The passenger vacated the aircraft and assisted the pilot, who needed help to extricate an arm from his harness. The pilot was taken to Salisbury Hospital and found to have suffered slight damage to a vertebra, while his passenger escaped with a minor cut.

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Flight Design CTSW, G-DEWE, 6 April 2013

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