Incident Overview
On 5 July 2004 at 2100 UTC, a private flight in an Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat (registration G-CBYH) took place at Otherton Airfield, Staffordshire. The aircraft was manufactured in 2003 and powered by a single Rotax 912ULS piston engine. The pilot, aged 54, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 126 hours total flying experience (58 on type). One passenger was on board.
Flight Details
The pilot was conducting a local evening sortie from the grass Runway 34. Weather conditions were assessed as good, with surface wind from 330° magnetic at 7 knots and good visibility. However, the low sun severely affected in-flight visibility to the west. The final approach to Runway 34 (330 metres long, 15 metres wide) was normal with flaps set at 20 degrees; the threshold was crossed between 30 and 60 feet.
Accident Sequence
The strong evening sun, approximately in line with the front left door pillar, caused the pilot to misjudge the flare height. The flare manoeuvre was initiated too early, and the aircraft dropped heavily onto its main undercarriage and bounced. The pilot applied power to execute a go-around, but before power could take effect, the aircraft rolled to the left. The pilot attempted to stop the roll with aileron, but this was ineffective and may have aggravated the situation by increasing the effective angle of attack of the stalled left wing. With roll control lost, the pilot closed the throttle. The left roll continued, and the left wingtip contacted the ground. The ground contact caused the aircraft to yaw left and rotate through approximately 250° before coming to rest to the left of the runway.
Aftermath
The aircraft remained upright on its undercarriage. The pilot and passenger, both uninjured, vacated the aircraft unaided through the doors. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to the left wing and fuselage.
Investigation Source
Information for this report was provided by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form. No official probable cause was stated in the source.