What happened
On 11 February 2016, a Skyranger 582, registration G-CCDW, was conducting a private flight at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire. The pilot's intention was to complete three circuits before proceeding to fly in the local area. While the initial circuit was completed without incident, the second landing attempt was characterized by a high speed and heavy impact, causing the aircraft to bounce twice.
Following this heavy landing, the pilot attempted a go-around. During this maneuver, the pilot discovered that the aircraft would not respond to left-hand control column inputs. Although the pilot could still turn to the right, the lack of left-hand roll control made it difficult to follow the standard left-hand pattern for Runway 21. To avoid nearby trees, the pilot executed a right turn and climbed. As the airspeed decreased and control remained limited, the pilot opted to land the aircraft in a field situated perpendicular to the runway.
During the approach to the field, the right landing gear struck a wall, causing the aircraft to spin 180 degrees. The impact resulted in extensive damage to the engine, propeller, right wing, and landing gear. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the loss of control capability during the go-around. The pilot noted that the aircraft had functioned normally prior to the heavy landing. However, a detailed technical inspection of the control systems could not be performed because the aircraft had been cut up during the recovery process and was being prepared for disposal. No records of similar control issues were found with the UK importer or the BMAB.