What happened
On 6 June 2015, a Bolkow BO 207, registration G-EFTE, was involved in a ground accident at Chichester (Goodwood) Airfield. The aircraft, a tailwheel type, was performing a private flight and had been cleared to taxi toward the hold of Runway 24. After completing pre-flight checks, the pilot began taxiing into the wind.
During the taxi, the pilot observed a Beagle Pup, registration G-AXOJ, approaching from the right. The pilot of G-EFTE stopped the aircraft at the end of parking row 3 to allow the other aircraft to pass. As the pilot prepared to move forward again, the tail of the aircraft suddenly lifted, causing the propeller to strike the ground. The impact resulted in no injuries to the two occupants, but caused damage to the propeller, spinner, and cowling, and resulted in the engine being shock-loaded.
The investigation
The AAIB examined several accounts of the event. The pilot of G-EFTE suggested that the propwash from the passing G-AXOJ might have caused the uncontrolled tail lift. An eyewitness, observing from a nearby parked aircraft, noted that as G-AXOJ applied power while taxiing behind G-EFTE, the tail of the Bolkow began to rise.
However, the pilot of G-AXOJ stated he was certain his propwash was not the cause, noting that his passenger observed the aircraft tipping over very slowly. The Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) also observed the tail lifting gently and noted that G-AX_OJ was positioned to the north of G-EFTE at the time, rather than behind it. A subsequent inspection of the taxiway by the pilot and passenger revealed no holes or surface obstructions that could have contributed to the incident.
Findings
- The investigation could not definitively determine the exact cause of the tail lift due to conflicting witness accounts.
- The propwash from a nearby aircraft was a suspected factor, though not conclusively proven.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the engine, propeller, and cowling due to the ground strike.