What happened
On 6 March 2022, a Letov LK-2M Sluka, registration G-MZBF, was performing a private flight near Tandragee, County Armagh. While on final approach to Runway 35 at Kernan Airfield, at an altitude of approximately 600 ft agl, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of roll control accompanied by a noticeable release of pressure in the control column.
Because high-voltage power lines were positioned roughly a quarter-mile ahead on the approach path, the pilot decided to execute an immediate forced landing. The pilot identified a field directly beneath the aircraft's flight path, reduced engine power to idle, and began a descent in a right-hand turn. During the landing sequence, the aircraft struck a hedge just before touchdown. The aircraft remained upright, though the nacelle, wings, nose fairing, and propeller sustained damage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was able to exit the aircraft without assistance and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
Following the incident, an inspection of the aircraft was conducted. The investigation established that a control wire within the right wing aileron tensioning system had unscrewed from the end of a turnbuckle. It was determined that the safety wire, which is intended to prevent the turnbuckle from unscrewing, was absent from the component. While the pilot had performed maintenance checks as recently as November 2021, there was no specific record of when the turnbuckle had last been inspected.