What happened
On 22 September 2012, an Escapade 912(1), registration G-CDKL, was conducting a private flight from an airfield in North Yorkshire to Eshott Airfield in Northumberland. During the final approach to the 550-metre asphalt runway, the pilot observed another aircraft taxiing toward the threshold for departure. The pilot noted that this observation may have caused a distraction during the landing phase.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft was not properly aligned with the runway centerline. In an attempt to rectify the alignment, the pilot applied rudder input. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft losing control and entering a ground loop. During the excursion, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and propeller made contact with the runway surface, causing the propeller to shatter. The weather conditions at the time were fine, characterized by good visibility and a light easterly wind.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination of the event established that the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the right wing, and the landing gear. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot, though one passenger sustained a minor injury. The crew was able to exit the aircraft through the side doors without difficulty, and the cockpit area remained undamaged.