What happened
On 18 October 2018, a MCR-01 ULC Banbi, registration G-HARD, was engaged in a private flight at Eshott Airfield, Northumberland. The pilot intended to conduct an hour of flight time, which included performing several circuits around the airfield.
During the second circuit, the pilot attempted to practice a go-around maneuver. As the aircraft was positioned just above the runway, the pilot had reduced power for the flare. Upon applying power to initiate the go-around, the aircraft experienced a leftward yaw and failed to gain sufficient altitude. While the pilot attempted to pull back on the control stick and verify engine power output, the aircraft struck the ground to the left of the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to stop abruptly, causing the pilot to strike his head against the instrument panel. The pilot sustained minor injuries but was able to exit the cockpit unaided.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage of the MCR-01 ULC Banbi to determine the cause of the loss of control and the nature of the impact. The inspection of the aircraft's interior revealed that the pilot's seat had partially detached from its mounting points. Additionally, the investigation found that the shoulder harness had failed at the stitched connection point where the shoulder straps meet the rear restraining belt. Following these findings, the Light Aircraft Association initiated testing regarding the suitability of using this specific automotive-style seat belt in aircraft applications.
Findings
- The aircraft's failure to climb during the go-around was accompanied by a leftward yaw.
- The impact resulted in damage to the engine, wings, fuselage cockpit, and landing gear.
- The failure of the shoulder harness at its stitched joint was a significant finding during the post-accident examination.