What happened
On July 29, 2007, a Luton LA.4A Minor, registration G-AWMN, was performing circuit training at Kilrush Airfield, Co Kildare. During the pilot's second flight of the day, the aircraft experienced a bounce while attempting to land on Runway 29. In response to the bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure. During this maneuver, the aircraft's tail wheel made contact with an ESB high-voltage power line located near the airfield boundary. The impact caused the aircraft to spin violently and come to rest on the main Kilcullen to Athy road. Despite a heavy vertical impact and substantial damage to the fuselage, propeller, undercarriage, and tailplane, the pilot exited the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation examined the flight path, the aircraft's performance, and the environmental conditions. Witnesses on the airfield observed the aircraft's behavior during both the initial takeoff and the subsequent landing attempt. Observations noted that the aircraft was flying at a high angle of attack with insufficient airspeed to climb effectively. The investigation also focused on the position of the 10KV single-phase power line, which sits approximately 7-8 meters above the ground near the airfield boundary. While the line is not a standard obstacle for normal operations on the runway centerline, the aircraft's drift brought it into contact with the wires.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified in the sequence of events:
- The pilot had very limited experience with this specific aircraft type, having flown it for only 1.4 hours.
- A slight crosswind component contributed to the aircraft drifting left of the runway centerline.
- The aircraft failed to achieve sufficient climbing speed to clear the overhead lines during the go-around.
- Excessive rudder input during the flight likely increased drag, further hindering the low-powered aircraft's climb capability.
- Strong afternoon sunlight may have obscured the pilot's visibility of the power lines.