What happened
On 8 September 2014, a Stits Playboy SA3A, registration G-BVVR, was involved in an accident at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex. The aircraft, powered by a single Continental Motors Corp A65-8 piston engine, was being operated on a private flight. The pilot had recently purchased the aircraft and was preparing for his inaugural flight in the type, intending to travel from Goodwood to Oaksey Park in Wiltshire.
While taxiing on the grass surface toward Runway 32, the pilot experienced a sudden and unexplained loss of directional control. The aircraft veered left by approximately 90 degrees, eventually striking a temporary fence. The impact caused the engine to stop and left the aircraft embedded in the structure. The collision resulted in no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained significant damage, including a shock-loaded propeller and damage to the leading edges of both wings.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators looked into the circumstances surrounding the loss of control during the taxi phase. The pilot noted that he was unfamiliar with the specific cockpit layout and control configuration of G-BVVR, as this was his first time operating this particular aircraft. Following the impact, the pilot successfully isolated the fuel and electrical systems before exiting the aircraft safely.