What happened
On 21 March 2010, an Auster 5, registration EI-AUM, was performing circuit patterns at Seven Parks Farm, located approximately 11 nm north of Dublin Airport. Following a successful first circuit, the pilot attempted to land from a second circuit on Runway 27. During the landing roll, the aircraft lost directional control and veered toward the right side of the runway.
The aircraft subsequently entered a ground loop, striking a wire boundary fence. The impact caused the main wheels to drop into an adjacent field where the ground level fell away by roughly 0.6 meters. This movement caused the propeller and the lower engine cowling to strike the ground. While the tail of the aircraft remained on the runway side of the fence, the tailplane came to rest against a fence post. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was well-maintained and operated under a valid Permit-to-Fly. The pilot, who held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence, reported that there were no mechanical control difficulties during the flight. An inspection of the aircraft at the scene verified that all control runs were continuous and intact.
Investigators examined the aircraft's undercarriage design, noting that as a tail-wheel (tail-dragger) aircraft, the center of gravity is located behind the main wheels. This configuration inherently creates directional instability during ground maneuvers, as the center of gravity tends to move ahead of the main gear if the aircraft swerves.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a ground loop initiated during the landing phase that the pilot was unable to arrest.
- A contributing factor was the presence of a crosswind during the landing.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a broken propeller tip, crushed engine cowling, damaged right wing struts, and torn fuselage fabric.