Vickers Supermarine Spitfire MK XIX, G-RRGN, 7 January 2013

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

• Category: Commercial - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 7 January 2013
• Aircraft type: Vickers Supermarine Spitfire MK XIX
• Location: East Midlands Airport
• Registration: G-RRGN

Vickers Supermarine Spitfire MK XIX, G-RRGN

Summary:

The aircraft had landed on Runway 27 at East Midlands Airport and was taxiing to vacate the runway when the undercarriage retracted, causing the wooden propeller to strike the runway and shatter. The pilot stated that he had intended to retract the flaps but inadvertently selected the undercarriage to UP: the levers are on different sides of the cockpit. It is apparently a usual practice to retract the flaps a soon as possible after landing to minimise the effect they have on cooling radiator airflow. There is no weight-on-wheels protection circuit.

Download report:

Vickers Supermarine Spitfire MK XIX, G-RRGN 5-2013.pdf (1,883.92 kb)

Published 10 December 2014