Introduction
On 21 April 2014, a private Vans RV-6 aircraft, registration G-GDRV, experienced a groundloop during the landing rollout at Gloucestershire Airport. The aircraft sustained damage to its left mainwheel spat and left landing gear leg, but neither the pilot nor the passenger was injured.
Sequence of Events
After a normal approach, the aircraft landed on Runway 04. During the rollout, Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructed the pilot to take the next exit on the right. As the pilot was about to respond, the aircraft swung to the right and departed the paved surface. It completed a 360° groundloop before coming to a halt back on the runway. The pilot then taxied the aircraft to the hangar and shut down the engine normally.
Aircraft Information
The Vans RV-6 is a single-engine, two-seat kit-built aircraft. G-GDRV was manufactured in 1993 and was powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2D piston engine.
Pilot Information
The 57-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 508 total flying hours, of which 8 were on the RV-6 type. In the 90 days preceding the accident, the pilot had flown 6 hours, with 4 hours in the previous 28 days.
Damage
Post-flight inspection revealed that part of the left mainwheel spat had detached and the left landing gear leg was bent.
Pilot's Opinion
The pilot believed that a lack of experience on type, combined with momentary distraction caused by the ATC instruction, allowed the swing to develop beyond control.