What happened
On March 29, 2002, an experimental Europa aircraft, registration SE-XRX, was involved in an accident during a flight test at Skövde airport, Sweden. The pilot, who was performing the initial flight of this amateur-built aircraft, had successfully completed a taxi test and a short flight on the asphalt runway prior to the incident.
After inspecting the aircraft, the pilot attempted a second takeoff from a grass strip. Shortly after lifting off at an altitude of approximately one meter, the aircraft experienced a sudden left yaw. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using right rudder, but the control input failed to stabilize the aircraft. Realizing the loss of control, the pilot aborted the takeoff by forcing the aircraft back onto the strip. The aircraft subsequently bounced into the air and landed crossways, resulting in substantial damage to the propeller, engine cowling, right-hand wing flap, wingtip, landing gear, and the aft fuselage.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) conducted a technical examination of the aircraft's control systems. Investigators discovered that the rudder yoke had physically separated from the rudder assembly. The failure was traced to a clean break within the epoxy glue that held the yoke laminate to the rudder shell.
While the construction work itself was performed according to the available methods, the investigation found that the structural design was flawed. Specifically, the design did not account for the physical reality that woven fiberglass requires a radius when bent into a 90-degree corner, leading to a discrepancy between the theoretical blueprint and the actual assembly. Furthermore, while regulations require the rudder pedals to withstand a force of 1000 N, SHK's calculations determined that this specific attachment could only withstand between 120 and 500 N.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure of the rudder yoke attachment due to insufficient structural strength, which caused a total loss of rudder control.
- The design of the rudder yoke attachment failed to meet necessary material durability standards.
- The modification used in this aircraft—a recommended change from the kit manufacturer (mod. 43)—resulted in a design that was not robust enough for the required operational loads.