What happened
On 5 June 2008, an American AA-5 Traveller, registration G-AZVG, was involved in a ground collision at Cranfield Airfield, Bedfordshire. The flight was being conducted as a private flight, specifically intended as a recency check for the pilot, who was accompanied by an instructor.
Following the engine start, the pilot began taxiing the aircraft. During the maneuver, the pilot applied left brake and left rudder inputs. These actions caused the aircraft to turn toward a Robin light aircraft that was parked adjacent to the taxi path. The instructor, noticing the increasing proximity to the parked aircraft, anticipated that the pilot would correct the course by steering to the right. However, instead of correcting the direction, the pilot increased engine power, which further accelerated the aircraft's rotation around its left wheel, leading to the collision.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of control inputs and the physical damage sustained by the aircraft. The instructor reported that upon realizing the collision was imminent, they attempted to intervene by applying right rudder and right brake. Despite these efforts, the instructor was unable to apply the corrective inputs quickly enough to prevent the impact.
Findings
- The collision was caused by the pilot applying left brake and left rudder while simultaneously increasing power, which intensified the aircraft's turn toward the parked Robin.
- The aircraft sustained an engine shock-load, as well as damage to the propeller, spinner, lower cowling, and wing.
- There were no injuries to the two crew members on board.