What happened
On 2 August 2006, a DH89A Dragon Rapide, registration G-AKIF, was performing a passenger flight at Duxford Aerodrome in Cambridgeshire. During the landing phase on the grass runway, the aircraft touched down on its right main wheel followed by the left. However, before the tail wheel could reach the surface, the aircraft became airborne once more.
Following this secondary lift-off, the pilot attempted to regain control by pushing the control column forward to settle the main landing gear. As the tail continued to rise, the pilot then pulled back on the column. These inputs resulted in an uncontrollable nose-down pitching motion, causing the engine propellers to strike the ground. The aircraft eventually came to a halt, and all eight passengers and the pilot disembarked without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's damage, which included bent propellers, a distorted left engine mount, deformed left bracing struts, and damaged cowlings and landing gear fairings. The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The surface wind was recorded at 310 degrees at 16 knots, with a significant crosswind component. The pilot reported experiencing windshear of up to 15 knots during the approach.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating on a grass runway with a landing distance available of 890 m.
- The landing was subject to gusty conditions and windshear.
- The aircraft's nose-down pitch was unarrested, leading to the propellers striking the runway.
- The damage was more extensive on the left side of the aircraft, suggesting the possibility that the left wing may have stalled during the landing sequence due to the windshear.
- The pilot noted that using the parallel asphalt or concrete runway might have provided a more stable surface and more time to execute a go-around if necessary.