AAIB Report: Vans RV-6A, G-RVSH, on 3 September 2023
Report into a fatal accident involving a Vans RV-6A (G-RVSH) at Truro Airfield, Cornwall on 3 September 2023
Accident site, viewed from the Runway 14 direction
The pilot of G-RVSH came into land on Runway 14 at Truro airfield but touched down off the side of the runway. The nose wheel was not held off, the nose wheel dug in, and the landing gear strut deformed resulting in the aircraft coming to rest inverted. The guidance from the aircraft manufacturer was that the nosewheel should be held ‘off as long as possible’. The Light Aircraft Association (LAA) provided similar guidance. A combination of the aircraft energy and dynamics of the roll over may have contributed to the pilot sustaining a fatal neck injury.
Safety action has been taken by the airfield owner to provide more information on the Pooley’s plate. A helicopter training mound has been removed from the airfield.