What happened
On 29 July 2022, a Zenair CH 601HD, registration G-BVVM, was performing a private flight departing from Perranporth Airfield in Cornwall. Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, it experienced a sudden roll to the right. The pilot noted that maintaining a steady climb required much higher control inputs than usual and subsequently declared a PAN-PAN emergency.
During the climb, the pilot identified that the locker door on the right wing had opened and was protruding upward at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. This protrusion disrupted the aerodynamic airflow over the wing. To counteract the rolling tendency, the pilot applied significant left rudder. Despite the aerodynamic disturbance, the pilot successfully managed the aircraft and returned to the airfield, completing a landing without further incident. There were no injuries to the pilot and no damage was sustained by the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot had been under self-imposed time pressure prior to departure. The pilot was aware that a parachute aircraft was approaching the airfield to perform overhead maneuvers and had rushed the pre-flight preparations to avoid interfering with the parachutists. While the pilot ultimately decided to wait for the parachutists to land, the haste of the preparation meant the wing locker was not verified as securely closed.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the unsecured right-wing locker door.
- The pilot's desire to expedite the departure due to approaching traffic led to a rushed pre-flight inspection.
- The open locker door created aerodynamic turbulence that induced a right-wing roll and necessitated heavy control inputs.