What happened
On July 1, 2018, a Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior, registration N14999, was completing a return flight to the Genk-Zwartberg aerodrome (EBZW) following an aviation exhibition. The aircraft, carrying one pilot and four passengers, was performing a landing on Runway 03.
As the aircraft touched down, the pilot applied left rudder to counteract a crosswind from the right. Upon the tailwheel making contact with the runway, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying the right brake, but the momentum led to a ground loop. The aircraft exited the runway and struck the doors of a hangar. The impact caused sections of the hangar doors to collapse, which subsequently damaged two parked aircraft: a Cirrus SR20 and a Piper PA34 Seneca. There were no injuries to the five occupants of the Electra Junior.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) examined the wreckage, the hangar, and the pilot's flight history. Investigators reviewed video footage of the landing, which confirmed the aircraft's deviation and the pilot's rudder inputs. A physical inspection of the Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior revealed that while the rudder pedals were misaligned—requiring more deflection on the left pedal to achieve a neutral rudder position—this was not considered a direct cause of the accident. The investigation also noted the pilot's limited flight experience specifically with tailwheel-type aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control during the landing roll resulting from inadvertent rudder pedal input.
- The sudden deviation of the aircraft's heading created the necessary conditions for a ground loop.
- The pilot's limited experience with tailwheel aircraft contributed to the inability to manage the aircraft's rotation once the tailwheel contacted the ground.
- The aircraft was airworthy and the pilot held a valid license at the time of the event.