What happened
On 30 July 2011, a Cessna 120, registration G-BUJM, was conducting a training flight at Yeovilton Airfield in Somerset. The flight crew, consisting of a pilot and an instructor, completed a standard approach into the airfield, benefiting from a headwind of approximately 8 to 10 knots.
Following a normal touchdown, the aircraft began to yaw to the right. In an attempt to maintain directional control, the pilot applied the left brake and left rudder. Despite these corrective inputs, the aircraft continued to deviate from the centerline, completing a rotation of approximately 270 degrees to the right. The aircraft eventually came to a stop after the excursion. Both occupants were wearing full safety harnesses and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of events during the landing roll and the effectiveness of the pilot's control inputs. The aircraft sustained damage to the left mainwheel, the tailwheel mounting, and the right landing gear mounting.