What happened
On 20 June 2014, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight in a Pierre Robin HR200/120B, registration G-MFLC, at Leeds Bradford Airport. Following a successful training session with an instructor, the student was cleared for his first solo takeoff.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 32, the aircraft experienced a rapid rotation into an exaggerated nose-up attitude. As the aircraft became airborne, it began to drift toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct this deviation using right aileron and right rudder, but the aircraft continued to deviate. Realizing the situation, the pilot reduced power and lowered the nose to return to the runway surface.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft landed heavily and underwent a series of bounces. During this sequence, the aircraft veered off the paved surface and onto the adjacent grass. The excursion ended when the aircraft collided with the Runway 14 glidepath aerial. The accident resulted in substantial damage to both the aircraft and the aerodrome equipment, though the pilot escaped with no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation utilized the aircraft accident report submitted by the student pilot, observations from the flight instructor, and CCTV footage from the airfield.
Analysis of the CCTV footage confirmed that the aircraft underwent a rapid pitch-up to approximately 15 degrees, followed by a wing drop that was subsequently corrected. The footage further revealed that the aircraft was subject to a pilot-induced oscillation in pitch. Specifically, a significant nose-down input was followed by a large nose-up input as the aircraft descended and struck the runway, causing the subsequent heavy bounces.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an initial rapid rotation to a high nose-up attitude during takeoff.
- The pilot attempted to manage the deviation but was subject to pilot-induced oscillation in pitch during the landing phase.
- The heavy landing and subsequent bounces caused the aircraft to depart the runway surface and strike the glidepath aerial.