Event Details
On 10 June 2015, at approximately 1640 UTC, a Flight Design CTSW (registration G-CGIZ, serial number 8512) operated by a private pilot under a Private Pilot's Licence was returning to Manchester Barton Aerodrome from Haydock Park. The aircraft, powered by a single Rotax 912ULS piston engine, had accumulated 871 total flying hours of which 685 were on type. The pilot, aged 47, reported that flying conditions were good with the surface wind varying from calm to 15 knots.
Sequence of Events
On short final for the grass Runway 08, at a height of about 5 feet, the left wing abruptly dropped. The pilot responded by applying full power and right rudder, causing the aircraft to climb to approximately 15 feet in a normal climbing attitude. When the pilot attempted to level the wings using right aileron, the left wing dropped again sharply. The aircraft then turned through 180 degrees with an angle of bank of approximately 30 degrees before the pilot regained level flight. At this point, the aircraft was downwind and descending. Realizing that impact with the ground was inevitable, the pilot closed the throttle. The left main wheel contacted the ground firmly, causing the wheel spar to break. The aircraft then settled onto the grass, damaging the propeller and airframe.
Pilot Account and Damage
The pilot, who was uninjured, shut down the aircraft and vacated it normally. He recalled that his approach speed seemed normal and believed that windshear may have caused the initial wing drop. The pilot considered that the secondary stall probably occurred because he was unfamiliar with the climbing attitude of the aircraft in the landing configuration and did not allow it to accelerate to a safe airspeed before climbing. The aircraft sustained moderate damage to the left underside and the left wheel spar broke.