Incident Overview
On 3 July 2000 at 1134 UTC, a Europa aircraft registered G-FLOR was involved in a runway excursion at Lydd Airport, Kent. The aircraft was engaged in a private flight for refresher training. The two occupants—the aircraft owner and a Popular Flying Association coach—were uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Europa, manufactured in 1999, powered by one Rotax 912UL piston engine. The commander held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 70 years old, with 5,419 total flying hours, of which 21 were on type. His recent flying experience included 9 hours in the last 90 days and 6 hours in the last 28 days. The coach, acting as pilot-in-command (P1), briefed the owner for upper airwork, circuits at Lydd Airport, and strip flying from the owner's airstrip.
Flight Sequence
The weather at Lydd was fine with a wind of 180°/13 kt and good visibility. The upper airwork proceeded uneventfully, after which the aircraft returned to Lydd Runway 22 for circuit training. The owner was briefed to carry out a full stop landing followed by a further takeoff. The approach required some verbal input from the coach, and the aircraft bounced on touchdown before coming to a halt.
The coach decided to let the owner carry out the next takeoff as briefed but planned to take control shortly after the aircraft became airborne to debrief points on the approach and landing, and also to demonstrate a circuit.
Accident Details
The owner began the takeoff roll without difficulty. However, the coach inadvertently took control before the aircraft became fully airborne. Immediately upon taking control, the coach had difficulty controlling the aircraft's tendency to swing and lost directional control. The aircraft departed from the right side of the runway and came to rest approximately 90 degrees from the runway heading. Damage was sustained to the propeller, propeller spinner, landing gear, and the engine experienced shock loading. The pilots, who were wearing lap and diagonal harnesses, vacated the aircraft without difficulty and were uninjured.
Probable Cause
The coach assessed the cause of the accident as his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft after taking control from the owner at an inappropriate time.