What happened
On April 2, 2005, a Savannah MXP-740 ultralight, registration EI-DGI, was performing a local flight at Granard Airfield in County Longford. The flight, which was a private operation, involved two pilots. After an initial takeoff, the pilot in the left seat handed control of the aircraft to the passenger in the right seat.
As the aircraft approached the runway for a low-speed pass, the pilot in the right seat attempted to initiate a go-around. During this maneuver, the pilot inadvertently applied incorrect control inputs, causing the aircraft to nose-dive into the ground at approximately 50 feet above the surface. The impact was heavy, occurring at a significant nose-down attitude. Both occupants sustained serious impact injuries, including fractures and facial trauma. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, particularly to the cockpit area, though the use of four-point harnesses aided the occupants' survival.
The investigation
An AAIU field investigation examined the wreckage and the flight history. Investigators analyzed GPS data from a recovered Garmin unit, which confirmed the flight path. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's mechanical condition, finding that the engine, fuel, and control linkages were functioning correctly prior to the impact.
Crucially, the investigation compared the cockpit ergonomics of the Savannah MXP-740 with the pilot's primary aircraft, an X-AIR microlight. The investigation also looked into the cockpit's structural integrity, noting that the compaction of the cabin during the crash was a major factor in the severity of the injuries.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error resulting from muscle memory tied to a different aircraft configuration.
- The pilot in the right seat was accustomed to an X-AIR microlight where the joystick is operated by the right hand and the throttle by the left.
- In the EI-DGI, the control layout was reversed relative to the pilot's position; when attempting the go-around, the pilot instinctively pushed the control column forward and pulled the throttle back, leading to an unrecoverable descent.
- The aircraft was approximately 15 kg over its maximum all-up weight, though this was not considered a contributing factor.
- The investigation noted that the pilots were flying under UK licenses that had not been validated for use in Ireland.