Independent report

AAIB Record-only investigations reviewed: November – December 2020

Published 11 February 2021

Event Date	Aircraft Type	Registration	Location	Occurrence Details
24 Jul 2020	Skyranger 912S(1)	G-CDUS	Greenhills Farm, Wheatley Hill, County Durham	During the landing roll the aircraft started to drift left and departed the grass strip before came to rest in a drainage ditch. The left main gear drag strut had failed, likely to be associated with the impact with the ditch.
08 Aug 2020	Maule MX-7-180	N280SA	Lofshaw Hill, Keswick, Cumbria	While flying a circuit, the pilot reported that he misjudged the landing and the aircraft nosed-over and came to rest on its back.
09 Aug 2020	Vans RV-7	G-CGJN	Bassett’s Farm Airfield, Essex	The aircraft landed long at a farm strip and the pilot turned the aircraft to avoid a hedge at the end of the landing area. The left wing tip came into contact with the hedge during the turn. The pilot assessed that he had not factored for the tailwind component and the high ambient temperature of 32°C for his approach.
11 Sep 2020	Robinson R44	G-CDUE	Peterborough Business Airport, Cambridgeshire	The helicopter was caught by a gust of wind as the pilot lifted into a low hover, which resulted in a rapid yaw to the right. As the pilot attempted to control the yaw, the tail rotor struck the ground. The tail rotor and boom detached.
11 Oct 2020	ISA 180 Seeker	G-SEKR	Leeds East Airport, North Yorkshire	During the second test flight of a new aircraft prototype the pilot was unable to extend the landing gear and conducted a wheels-up landing. The force required to extend the manually-operated landing gear system was higher than that anticipated during the design process. The flight test programme and any resulting design amendments are being monitored by the LAA.
19 Oct 2020	Flight Design CT2K	G-CCNG	Athey’s Moor Airfield, Longframlington, Northumberland	After landing normally the aircraft began a skid to the left, which the pilot was unable to correct. As the aircraft came to a halt off the left the side of the runway, the propeller and wingtip made contact with ground. The landing gear, wing and propeller were damaged.
03 Nov 2020	Cessna 152	G-TALA	Tatenhill Airfield, Staffordshire	The pilot planned to fly two or three circuits and calculated that the fuel on board was sufficient for the flight. After encountering improving weather when airborne the pilot left the circuit for a short local flight. On returning to the circuit the engine spluttered and stopped. Whilst gliding to land the nosewheel caught a sapling in the hedge at the end of the runway and the aircraft was flipped onto its roof. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
04 Nov 2020	Rans S6-ESD XL (Modified)	G-MYYV	Near Northrepps Airfield, Norfolk	A perceived low climb rate on takeoff led to the pilot reducing power in an attempt to clear any fuel flow issues. Upon re-applying full throttle, the engine stopped and, during the subsequent forced landing in a field, the nose gear and propeller were damaged.
26 Nov 2020	Vans RV-8	G-RVAR	Vale of Neath Gliding Club, Rhigos, Mid Glamorgan	The aircraft landed long on a grass runway. The right main wheel dug into the turf pulling the aircraft to the right onto softer ground, tipping it onto its nose and right wing tip. The pilot stated that he would seek the advice of an instructor qualified on type for guidance on approach techniques.
20 Dec 2020	Rotorsport UK MTO Sport	G-PALT	Beccles Airfield, Suffolk	Due to insufficient speed, the aircraft suffered a retreating blade stall during the takeoff climb, causing the rotor blades to move downwards and contact the propeller blades. Although the rotor and propeller blades incurred some damage, the aircraft landed safely.