What happened
On 3 June 2002, a Denney Kitfox, registration G-BSSF, was conducting a series of visual circuits at Sandtoable Airport, Doncaster, as part of a type conversion training flight. The weather conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 km, no significant weather, and no cloud below 3,000 feet. The aircraft was operating on the dry asphalt surface of runway 23.
Following a normal approach and a three-point landing, the aircraft maintained the runway centerline while decelerating. As the speed dropped to approximately 30 mph, the aircraft began to yaw gently to the right. Although the pilot attempted to correct this with left rudder, the aircraft instead experienced a rapid yaw to the left, resulting in a ground loop onto a reciprocal heading. As the aircraft drifted off the paved runway, the right main landing gear leg detached and the right wing made contact with the ground. There were no injuries to the two crew members on board. The engine was shut down and the crew evacuated the aircraft, after which airfield fire and rescue services addressed a fuel leak originating from the right wing.
The investigation
Investigators examined the runway surface and identified a heavy skid mark left by the left main wheel at the exact location where the initial rightward yaw began. This physical evidence indicated that the left brake was inadvertently applied during the pilot's attempt to use left rudder control.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered damage to the right wing and the right landing gear leg.
- The ground loop was initiated by an unintended braking action.
- The design of unmodified Kitfox aircraft may allow for the accidental application of brakes during rudder pedal movement.