What happened
On 27 May 2012, a student pilot was conducting a qualifying cross-country training exercise at Arclid Airstrip, near Sandbach, Cheshire. While attempting to land on Runway 20, the aircraft encountered a wind from 120 degrees at approximately 8 to 9 knots. The pilot managed a smooth round-out, utilizing right rudder to counteract the drift caused by the crosswind.
Upon touchdown, the pilot maintained a back-stick position and centered the rudder in anticipation of lowering the nosewheel. During this phase, the EV-97 TeamEurostar UK, registration G-CDTU, weathercocked to the left, potentially due to a sudden gust. An attempt to correct this movement with right rudder was unsuccessful because the low airspeed rendered the rudder ineffective. Consequently, the aircraft drifted off the left side of the runway and entered a ploughed field. The impact with the uneven terrain caused the nosewheel to bend backward and resulted in the propeller striking the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing roll and the aerodynamic control of the aircraft. The AAIB examined the pilot's technique and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. It was noted that the student pilot had previously practiced lowering the nosewheel earlier in the landing sequence to ensure better control as rudder effectiveness diminishes during low-speed operations.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the engine cowling, propeller, nosewheel, wingtip, main wheel fairings, and the underside of the fuselage.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.
- The primary cause of the excursion was the loss of directional control due to insufficient rudder effectiveness at low speed during the landing roll.