History of the Flight
On 20 July 2018 at 1310 UTC, a Piper J5A Cub Cruiser, registration G-BSXT, was conducting a check flight at Felthorpe Airfield, Norwich. The aircraft had been recently repaired following a stalled landing accident and was authorized for check flying by an LAA Inspector on 9 July 2018. The pilot, the owner of the aircraft, performed most of the repair work. He considered the weather suitable for the first check flight, with a light headwind of 3 to 5 kt along the runway.
The pilot planned three to five circuits and landings using Runway 23, after which he intended to complete the LAA test schedule with an Inspector on board. Unsure of the stall speed after the rebuild, he decided to approach at 60 mph and land at 55 mph to add a margin of safety. The ground run, takeoff, and initial circuits were normal. The pilot attempted two approaches but found the aircraft too high and fast (65 mph) and elected to go around. On the third approach, satisfied with speed and height, he decided to land.
After flaring, the aircraft floated for some distance before making a three-point touchdown. Still moving at speed, the pilot applied full braking but was already over halfway along the 487 m runway. Facing a hedge and a public road at the runway end, the pilot turned the aircraft gradually to the right using braking and rudder. Attempting to ground loop, he found that full depression of the heel-operated brakes was insufficient to turn the aircraft in time. The right wing struts struck a gate, swinging the aircraft; the left wing tip hit a tree. The right wing and left rear fuselage were damaged.
Aircraft Information
The Piper J5A Cub Cruiser is a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with a steel frame and fabric covering. G-BSXT was modified with a Rolls Royce O-200A engine. The main wheels were fitted with heel-operated brakes. According to a Piper manual, the landing speed for the Super Cruiser is 45 mph; for the lighter J5A variant, Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1940 lists 40 mph.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 73, held an FAA Private Pilot’s Licence with 876 hours total flying experience, none on type. His recent experience (last 90 days) was 4 hours, all on a Cessna 172 with tricycle undercarriage. He had flown a Stinson 108 tailwheel aircraft in 1993. He reported being an FAA licensed engineer for 15–20 years and an LAA member and inspector for 2–3 years. The LAA Inspector ran an aircraft inspection and maintenance business.
LAA Processes
The pilot and LAA Inspector followed the process for renewal (revalidation) of a permit to fly. However, because the aircraft’s permit was revoked when it was exported to Ireland in 2013, the LAA stated that the correct process was for a new permit, requiring a Certificate of Clearance and assessment of the nominated check pilot’s suitability. At the time of the accident, the LAA had no opportunity to assess the check pilot due to a misunderstanding about the airworthiness process.