What happened
On 17 April 2016, a Pitts S-1S Special, registration G-MAXG, was performing a private flight at Breighton Aerodrome in Yorkshire. The pilot was completing the final flight of an aerobatic competition and was approaching Runway 28L for landing. Due to waterlogged conditions on the grass runway, the pilot had been instructed to utilize the right-hand side of the runway, which was demarcated by cones.
During the final approach, the pilot was following another aircraft. To maintain separation while waiting for the preceding traffic to clear the runway, the pilot performed a left side-slip during the hold-off phase. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a small bounce and the right mainwheel exited the runway surface, entering a deeply ploughed area. This caused the aircraft to pitch forward violently and rotate approximately 210 degrees before coming to a stop. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained significant impact damage to the propeller, landing gear, wings, rudder, and rear fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight path and the environmental conditions at the aerodrome. It was established that the pilot had been focused on the aircraft ahead during the approach. The investigation reviewed the pilot's maneuvers, specifically the use of a side-slip to manage the approach behind other traffic, and assessed the impact of the runway's surface conditions on the aircraft's stability after touchdown.