What happened
On 26 September 2015, an Extra EA 300/L, registration G-KIII, was involved in an accident during a private flight at Swansea Airport. The pilot was preparing for a flight to Goodwood Airport in Sussex. During the pre-flight inspection, the pilot observed that the right brake pedal required more pressure than usual to achieve the same effect as the left pedal.
After entering Runway 28, the aircraft taxied toward the threshold of Runway 10. As the aircraft approached the intersection with Runway 04/22, the pilot applied both brakes with equal pressure. Instead of following the intended path, the aircraft veered sharply to the left. In an attempt to correct the direction, the pilot released the left brake while keeping pressure on the right brake, but the aircraft entered a ground loop. This maneuver caused the right landing gear to collapse, leading the propeller and the lower outer edge of the right wing to strike the runway surface. The pilot successfully shut down the engine and evacuated the aircraft, noting a fuel leak before emergency services arrived.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the taxiing sequence and the mechanical performance of the braking system. The investigation established that the pilot had identified an abnormality in the braking force required for the right pedal prior to departure. The physical damage to the aircraft included the landing gear, the propeller, and the right wing edge.