What happened
On 26 March 2021, a Grob G109B, registered G-OSOX, was conducting a private formation flight near the Skydive Dubai Airfield. The flight, operated by Aerosparx Ltd, included a pilot and one passenger. While the aircraft was on its left base for runway 17 at approximately 500 feet, the engine stalled and shut down during a propeller pitch adjustment.
The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. During the emergency, the pilot noted that the airbrakes were partially deployed and that the propeller had moved into the 'feather' position. Seeking a suitable landing site, the pilot identified an asphalt road near the airfield. To avoid a fence separating the road from the runway, the pilot executed a steep right turn into the wind. During this maneuver, the right wing struck the road surface and fractured. The aircraft subsequently touched down, slid across the asphalt, and came to a rest in the sand. Both occupants exited the aircraft without assistance, and no injuries were reported.
The investigation
The UAE Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) initiated an investigation following the notification of the accident. Because the aircraft sustained substantial damage, the event was classified as an accident. The investigation involves coordination with the German Bundesstelle fuer Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) as the state of manufacture and the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) as the state of registry.
Investigators examined the wreckage, noting that the right wing had separated approximately 190 cm from the wingtip, the left main landing gear had detached from the fuselage, and the engine cowling and propeller spinner sustained impact damage. The investigation is also reviewing the propeller pitch assembly, which has been secured for examination by the manufacturer.
Findings
- The engine experienced a stall and shutdown during the transition of propeller pitch settings while on approach.
- The aircraft sustained severe structural damage, including a fractured wing and detached landing gear, due to the impact with the asphalt road.
- The pilot's attempt to maneuver the aircraft into the wind resulted in the wingtip striking the ground.
- Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were clear with good visibility (CAVOK).