What happened
On 19 June 2022, a DH89A Rapide, registration G-AIYR, was performing commercial passenger flights during the Dux andford Airshow. Following a routine takeoff and local flight, the pilot approached Runway 06 at Duxford Airfield. The conditions included a 10-knot crosswind from the left.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft initially made contact with the left main landing gear before the right gear touched down. Immediately following the right gear contact, the aircraft experienced a sudden, intense deceleration and pitched forward onto its nose. The impact caused the propeller tips of both engines to strike the runway, and the underside of the cockpit and nose area sustained damage. The aircraft veered to the right, exiting the paved runway and coming to rest on the grass. There were no injuries to the pilot or the eight passengers on board.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and found damage to the engine cowlings, both propellers, and the front fuselage. While the pilot had confirmed the wheel brakes were off during the pre-landing checklist, the sudden deceleration prompted an inspection of the landing gear.
Upon inspection of the right main landing gear, the tyre was found to be completely deflated. Although the tyre itself showed no external damage, the inner tube exhibited a tear at the valve where it had been displaced from the wheel. Additionally, two small punctures were identified in the inner tube. Examination of the wheel revealed creep marks, indicating the tyre had rotated significantly around the hub.
Findings
- The aircraft landed with a significant left-hand crosswind, necessitating the use of into-wind aileron.
- The rapid deceleration and subsequent nose-over were consistent with the effects of a deflated right main tyre.
- The damage to the inner tube valve and the presence of creep marks suggest the tyre deflated due to the tube displacing from the wheel.
- It is likely that the deflation occurred either during the flight or at the moment of touchdown.