What happened
On 12 June 2021, an ATEC v.o.s. Zephyr 2000, registration EI-DGV, was performing a general aviation flight from Ballyboy Airfield to a private airfield near Athenry, Co. Galway. As the pilot touched down on the grass runway, a sudden gust of wind from the west pushed the aircraft toward a line of trees located parallel to the runway.
In an attempt to maintain the runway centerline, the pilot applied full rudder and aileron, but the aircraft continued to drift left. Seeking to avoid the trees, the pilot applied full engine power to initiate a go-around. During this attempted takeoff, the left wing tip struck several trees. The aircraft then crossed the airfield's eastern boundary hedgerow and came to a stop in an adjacent agricultural field. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft, though the pilot escaped with only minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's damage, which included a broken left wing, a cracked engine casing, and a ruptured firewall. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data and the pilot's credentials. While the pilot's pre-flight forecast indicated manageable winds, Met Éireann's aftercast revealed that southwest winds of 8-11 knots were present, with gusts reaching 10-15 knots.
Findings
- The aircraft's flight manual specifies a maximum crosswind limit of 6 m/s.
- The wind gusts recorded at the time of the accident likely exceeded the aircraft's operational limits.
- The application of full engine power at low ground speed may have contributed to the aircraft's continued lateral drift toward the trees.
- The pilot's UK Pilot Medical Declaration did not meet the specific medical certificate requirements for exercising NPPL privileges in Ireland under IAA Aeronautical Notice P.21.