Escapade aircraft inverted during takeoff at Suffolk airstrip

Casualties unknown • Private airstrip, Mendelsham, Suffolk, GB

A private flight in an Escapade aircraft ended in an inversion after the aircraft lifted off prematurely during a takeoff roll at a Mendelsham airstrip.

What happened

On 21 June 2014, an Escapade, registration G-DIZI, was performing a private flight from a grass airstrip located in Mendelsham, Suffolk. The takeoff roll began heading east across a 650-meter strip that was approximately 17 meters wide, flanked by wheat to the north and oilseed rape to the south.

During the takeoff, the pilot attempted to follow standard tailwheel procedures, maintaining a forward control column position to lift the tail as speed increased. However, at approximately 30 knots, the aircraft unexpectedly lifted off the ground earlier than the anticipated 40 knots. While the pilot attempted to maintain control within ground effect, the main wheels made contact with the surface again, with the left wheel striking first. This caused the aircraft to veer left, leading the left main wheel into furrowed ground at the edge of the strip. The aircraft subsequently yawed into the adjacent crop, where it pitched forward and became fully inverted roughly 100 meters into the takeoff run. There were no injuries to the pilot.

The investigation

The investigation examined the aircraft's performance and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators noted that the surface wind was between 4 and 10 knots, shifting between 330° and 010°. The pilot provided information regarding the difficulty of executing certain takeoff techniques in the aircraft when it is at a light weight, noting that the aircraft could exhibit 'porpoising' or small bounces before a clean liftoff. The investigation also considered the pilot's flying experience, which included 329 total hours, though only 50 of those hours were on this specific type.

Findings

  • The aircraft experienced an unexpectedly early liftoff during the takeoff roll.
  • The aircraft deviated left after the initial touchdown, causing the left wheel to enter cultivated, furrowed ground.
  • The narrowness of the airstrip and the presence of crosswinds contributed to the loss of directional control.
  • The pilot's limited experience on this specific aircraft type was a contributing factor.

Probable cause

The aircraft lifted off the ground prematurely during the takeoff roll, leading to a loss of directional control and subsequent inversion after the left wheel entered furrowed ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-06-21 Escapade accident near Private airstrip, Mendelsham, Suffolk, GB?

A private flight in an Escapade aircraft ended in an inversion after the aircraft lifted off prematurely during a takeoff roll at a Mendelsham airstrip.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-06-21 involved a Escapade, registration G-DIZI, at Private airstrip, Mendelsham, Suffolk, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft lifted off the ground prematurely during the takeoff roll, leading to a loss of directional control and subsequent inversion after the left wheel entered furrowed ground.

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