What happened
On 9 December 2000, a BAC 167 Strikemaster MK83, registration G-BXFX, was conducting a 'Permit to Fly' renewal air test near Louth, Lincolnshire. The flight, operated privately, included a pilot and an observer. The flight profile involved various maneuvers, including stalling and checking the aircraft's spinning characteristics.
During the phase of the test intended to check incipient spins, the aircraft rapidly transitioned into a fully developed spin to the left. The pilot attempted to manage the descent, at one point noting the aircraft had completed three turns and was passing FL100. As the aircraft's descent rate increased and the altitude dropped, the pilot instructed the observer to prepare for ejection. The observer successfully ejected, but the pilot's ejection occurred at too low an altitude to allow for a survivable separation from the aircraft. The aircraft struck the ground with a high descent rate and a nose-down attitude, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the aircraft's flight controls. While a spanner was discovered beneath the fuselage, examination of the control cables, pulleys, and push-rods showed no evidence of a jam or mechanical failure. The ejection seats were found to be in well-maintained, functional condition. The investigation established that the observer's seat operated normally, but the pilot's seat impacted the ground before the full deployment sequence could be completed due to the low altitude.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a fully developed spin during an attempt at an incipient spin maneuver.
- The spin was initiated at FL150, which was significantly below the pilot's notes' recommended minimum height of 18,000 ft AGL for such maneuvers.
- The pilot's decision to eject at a very low altitude meant the aircraft's descent rate prevented a survivable ejection for the commander.
- The aircraft's attitude during the spin was highly disorienting, with the nose oscillating beyond the vertical.