Independent report

AAIB Record-only investigations reviewed: January – February 2023

Published 13 April 2023

Event Date	Aircraft Type	Registration	Location Name	Record Only Occurrence Text
01 Apr 2022	Pitts S-2E	G-KITI	Sleap Aerodrome, Shropshire	After landing and reducing speed the aircraft yawed to the right, resulting in the left wing hitting the ground and damaging the left aileron and wingtip. The pilot thought a tail wind might have caused the ground loop. Ground handling of taildragger aircraft is explored in the AAIB report concerning G-HRLI [accessed January 2023].
18 Aug 2022	Vans RV-4	G-CDJB	Nayland Airfield, Essex	The pilot said that a strong gust of wind blew the aircraft towards some trees when he was landing. The aircraft struck a tree and was extensively damaged, but the pilot was uninjured.
15 Sep 2022	Vans RV-9	G-CDMN	Stone Acre Airstrip, Kent	Following a local flight with an instructor, the Vans RV9 became slow on final approach to Runway 24 at Farthing Corner airfield. The pilot described the left wing dropping suddenly before impact with the airfield boundary fence. He stated that he suddenly found the aircraft on the ground facing along the runway before veering left and stopping in an adjacent field. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the left wing and some minor damage to the right wing, landing gear and propeller.
07 Dec 2022	Cessna 152	G-BSCZ	Near RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire	As the aircraft climbed through approximately 200 ft agl after a touch and go, its engine failed. The instructor took control and executed a forced landing in a nearby field. During the landing roll the nosewheel dug into the soft surface and the aircraft inverted. Another aircraft, airborne in the vicinity at the same time, experienced severe carburettor icing on several occasions. On reflection, G-BSCZ’s pilots considered it most likely that carburettor icing caused their engine failure.
05 Jan 2023	Cessna R182	G-CBMP	Great Massingham Airfield, Norfolk	The aircraft landed heavily in gusty conditions. The propeller touched the runway and the nose gear was damaged.
20 Jan 2023	Bulldog Series 120 Model 122	G-BCUS	Oaksey Park, Gloucester	The pilot misidentified the airstrip because of the low sun and landed on an adjacent field. The landing was normal but during the rollout the nose landing gear dug into the soft ground and the propeller struck the surface.
22 Jan 2023	Taylor Titch	G-BFID	Sibson Aerodrome, Peterborough	The pilot lost directional control during take off, the aircraft veering off the runway leading to damage to the landing gear and a propeller strike.
27 Jan 2023	Druine D.62B Condor	G-ATAU	Firs Farm Airfield, Leckhampstead, Berkshire	On late finals to land at Firs Farm Airstrip the pilot encountered stronger than expected winds. The airspeed dropped and the aircraft sank heavily, striking the top of a small bank and causing the right wheel to detach. The right gear leg then caught in the ground, shearing the right-wing main spar at the wing root.
28 Jan 2023	Cessna 152	G-BZHE	Andrewsfield, Great Dunmow, Essex	The aircraft, which was being flown by a student pilot, bounced during landing and the nose landing gear was damaged.
04 Feb 2023	Jodel DR1050	G-CEIS	Prestwick Airport	The aircraft encountered a gust shortly before landing and touched down, probably left wing first, beside Runway 21. When power was applied to discontinue the landing the instructor, believing the aircraft may be damaged, took control to remain on the ground. During the ground roll it struck approach path indicator lights, damaging the lights and the underside of the aircraft. Damage to the wings restricted aileron movement. The wind reported shortly afterwards was from 210-220° at 17 kt, gusting to 28 kt.
07 Feb 2023	Jurca Spitfire MJ-10	G-CHBW	St. Merryn Airfield, Cornwall	At a point about 65 m into the landing roll, the right landing gear torque link failed. The aircraft departed the runway and tipped onto its nose, damaging the main spar, propeller and shock loading the engine.
11 Feb 2023	Bell 206B	G-CDGV	Near Stockton-on-Tees	While manoeuvring at low height and speed over a helipad in preparation for parking, the aircraft tail rotor struck a CCTV mounting on the hangar. Yaw control was lost, and the aircraft struck the ground suffering extensive damage.