What happened
On 22 August 2001, a Bulldog Model 120/122, registration G-CCOA, was conducting a training flight at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire. The flight was part of a series of type-conversion exercises for a student pilot, overseen by an instructor. During the climb phase, approximately 200 feet above the ground, the instructor intentionally reduced the throttle to simulate an engine failure.
Following this simulated failure, the student pilot failed to react quickly enough to lower the aircraft's nose, causing the airspeed to drop significantly. Although the instructor intervened to take control of the aircraft, the momentum and low speed resulted in a heavy touchdown on the runway. This impact caused the right main landing gear leg to collapse. The aircraft subsequently bounced back into the air before landing a second time, at which point it veered to the right, left the runway, and came to rest on the nearby grass.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the simulated engine failure and the briefing procedures used prior to the flight. The crew, consisting of two persons, sustained one minor injury. The investigation examined the aircraft's performance characteristics, noting that while the type is capable of safe simulated failures on suitable runways, the specific handling during this event led to the accident.
Findings
- The instructor's decision to simulate an engine failure was part of the planned training syllabus.
- The student pilot was slow to respond to the simulated loss of power by lowering the nose, leading to a dangerous reduction in airspeed.
- The instructor delayed taking control of the aircraft, which prevented the prevention of the heavy landing.
- The collapse of the right main landing gear was a direct result of the heavy impact with the runway.
- While a pre-takeoff emergency brief had been conducted by the student, the specific simulated failure had not been explicitly detailed in the formal pre-flight briefing between the instructor and student.