What happened
On 28 September 2014, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, registration G-WLAC, was performing circuit training at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire. During the second touch-and-go of the flight, the aircraft experienced two consecutive bounces upon landing. In response to the instability, the pilot attempted to execute a go-around. However, the aircraft's airspeed had become insufficient to maintain control, resulting in an inability to arrest a downward pitch. Consequently, the nose and propeller struck the ground, causing the aircraft to overturn and come to rest on its back.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board. The impact caused the propeller to bend, resulted in a shock-load to the engine, and caused various amounts of damage to the fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing attempt and the subsequent flight control inputs. The pilot noted that the use of tightly fastened four-point harnesses was a significant factor in preventing any physical harm to the occupants during the overturn.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of control during the transition to a go-around following multiple bounces.
- Insufficient airspeed prevented the pilot from recovering from the nose-down pitch.
- The pilot acknowledged that the decision to initiate the go-around should have been made immediately following the initial bounce.