AAIB investigation to Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-CDFL

The aircraft entered a spin or spiral dive when turning finals at Caunton Airfield, Nottinghamshire, 13 July 2019.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 9 January 2020

• Category: Sport aviation and balloons
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 13 July 2019
• Aircraft type: Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac
• Location: Caunton Airfield, Nottinghamshire
• Registration: G-CDFL

Summary:

During an overhead join, the pilot became distracted by other traffic in the circuit. While he manoeuvred his aircraft to ensure safe separation with the other aircraft, the airspeed decayed to a point where the left wing dropped and the aircraft entered a steep nose-down turn or incipient spin. The aircraft struck the ground in a level attitude and the pilot was uninjured.

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Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-CDFL 01-20

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 9 January 2020