What happened
On 22 January 2006, two separate aircraft were operating at Old Hay Airfield in Kent. The first aircraft, a Casa 1-13 andE Series 2000 Jungmann, registration G-BECW, departed the airfield for a local flight. After visiting several nearby locations, the pilot returned to the airfield approximately 15 minutes later. Upon arrival, the pilot observed a northerly wind of about 5 knots blowing across the grass runway 10/28. Due to the wind direction, the pilot opted to land on Runway 10, as the approach area for Runway 28 was considered more obstructed.
Simultaneously, a Stolp Starduster SA 100, registration N40D, departed from Runway 10 for a local flight. The pilot of this aircraft estimated the surface wind to be between 020 and 030 degrees at 5 to 7 knots. Following a short flight, the pilot returned to the airfield and landed on the reciprocal runway, Runway 28. After a successful touchdown and maintaining the centerline during the rollout, the pilot began taxiing toward the intersection with Runway 13/31. Approximately 50 meters before reaching the exit, the aircraft collided with the oncoming G-BECW.
Both aircraft sustained extensive damage. Despite the impact, the occupants of both aircraft were able to evacuate through the standard exits without injury, though one passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation established that neither aircraft was utilizing the airfield's radio frequency at the time of the incident. While Old Hay Airfield had been allocated a frequency in 2005 to allow for position reporting, the two pilots were unaware of each other's intentions.
The investigation examined the visibility limitations inherent in the aircraft designs. Both the Casa 1-131E Series 2000 Jungngman and the Stolp Starduster SA 100 are tail-wheel aircraft. This configuration results in restricted forward vision while taxiing on the ground. The investigation found that while the pilots should have been able to see one another while airborne, the design of the aircraft made visual acquisition of the other aircraft extremely difficult once they were on the ground.
Findings
- The collision was caused by the failure of both pilots to use the airfield's radio frequency to communicate their positions and intentions.
- The tail-wheel configuration of both aircraft significantly limited the pilots' ability to see the other aircraft during ground operations.
- The pilots were operating on reciprocal runways, which contributed to the head-on nature of the collision.