Aircraft and Flight Details
On 22 September 2016 at 1400 hrs, a DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 (registration G-BXCP, serial number C1/0744, manufactured 1952) operated on a private flight at Bagby (Thirsk) Airfield, Yorkshire. The aircraft was powered by one De Havilland Gipsy Major 10 MK.2 piston engine. The pilot, aged 70, held a Private Pilot’s Licence with 14,578 total flying hours, including 22 hours on type. The passenger was uninjured.
Landing Approach
Bagby Airfield had no air/ground radio service. Before landing, the pilot checked the surface wind at a nearby airfield, which reported 240° at 10 kt. He was familiar with Bagby, having landed a Chipmunk there six times in the previous four days. He elected to land downwind on Runway 06, which had a 2.6% upslope, believing the landing distance required was sufficient given the short, dry grass. He stated he would have used Runway 24 if the wind was stronger than 10 kt.
Accident Sequence
The pilot flew a normal approach to a three-point landing and held the control stick fully back as the aircraft slowed. Directional control was maintained using differential braking until, at a speed of 20–25 kt, the aircraft yawed left and did not respond to further right brake application. It veered off the runway, and the pilot could not stop it before the right wing and tailplane struck a hangar. The pilot secured the aircraft and vacated without assistance.
Pilot's Observations
Damage included wrinkling of the right fuselage side and severe damage to the right wing and tailplane. The pilot concluded that the leftward swing may have been due to wind gusting or a shift in wind direction.