What happened
On 19 June 2010, an Extra EA300L, registration G-DUKK, was performing an aerial display at the Methley Bridge boatyard in West Yorkshire. The pilot, an experienced professional, had completed several successful manoeuvres earlier in the day. However, during the final display, the aircraft departed from the planned routine recorded on the pilot's display card.
Following a series of aerobatic figures, the aircraft entered a vertical manoeuvre intended to be a 'Muller Tower'. During this sequence, the aircraft fell into a dive and subsequently entered a flat spin. The aircraft maintained this flat spin for approximately five turns. Although the pilot initiated recovery procedures, the manoeuvre was performed at an altitude significantly lower than the height required for a successful recovery. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep, high-speed dive and struck the ground at approximately 1501 hrs.
The investigation
Investigators examined wreckage at the site and analysed extensive photographic and video evidence. The examination of the Extra EA3 and registration G-DUKK revealed that the engine was producing power and the flight controls were functioning correctly until the moment of impact. There was no evidence of any pre-impact structural failure or mechanical malfunction.
Analysis of the flight path determined that the pilot initiated the spin recovery at a height of roughly 690 feet, whereas previous testing of similar aircraft suggested that 1,000 feet is typically required to recover to level flight from such a spin. The investigation also looked into the pilot's recent flying history, noting that he had recently returned to a full-time flying schedule after a period of leave.
Findings
- The pilot did not follow the established display routine, deviating from the sequence on his display card.
- The flat spin recovery was initiated at an altitude too low to allow the aircraft to return to level flight.
- The pilot suffered a fatal head injury when the structural mounting for the shoulder harness failed upon impact, causing his head to strike the instrument panel.
- Environmental factors, including strong winds, may have contributed to the difficulty of the manoeuvres.
- The pilot's recent return to a full-time workload may have introduced elements of fatigue.