Aeronca 11BC Chief, G-BUTF, 20 June 2012

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 20 June 2012
• Aircraft type: Aeronca 11BC Chief
• Location: High Easter Airfield, Essex
• Registration: G-BUTF

Aeronca 11BC Chief, G-BUTF

Summary:

The pilot, who had not flown the aircraft type before, taxied the aircraft around the airfield, including a fast taxi along the runway to satisfy himself that he “felt confident at the controls”. He then taxied to the beginning of the runway, lined-up and applied full power. At 25 to 35 mph and with the tail up, he felt the aircraft drifting to the left and applied right rudder to compensate. As he did so, the aircraft turned sharply right. He lowered the tail and selected “power off” but the aircraft skidded into a crop to the right of the runway. The left wingtip, rudder, tailplane, tailwheel and right mainwheel were damaged before the aircraft stopped. The pilot believed that he accidentally depressed the right heel brake when applying the initial right rudder correction.

Download report:

Aeronca 11BC Chief G-BUTF 11-12.pdf (214.71 kb)

Published 10 December 2014