What happened
On 27 September 2003, a Grob G109B, registration G-BZLY, was performing a private positioning flight from Sutton Bank to Dishforth. During the approach to Runway 34, the aircraft touched down in a slightly tail-high attitude. Following a suggestion from the passenger, the pilot maintained a full back-stick position.
As the tail of the aircraft descended, the plane began to swing toward the right. The tail subsequently rose again, and the aircraft's path directed it toward a parked fuel bowser. In an attempt to prevent a collision, the passenger tried to steer the aircraft using the rudder pedals while also pulling the stick back. During this sequence, the pilot deployed the full airbrake, which simultaneously engaged the wheelbrakes. This caused the aircraft to pitch forward, resulting in the nose contacting the ground before the aircraft settled back onto its tail and stopped.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of control inputs and the mechanical response of the aircraft during the landing roll. The AAIB established that the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, spinner, cowling, and tail wheel, along with stress cracks appearing in the tailplane and rear fuselage. The investigation focused on the interaction between the airbrake deployment and the aircraft's stability during the ground excursion.
Findings
- The aircraft's path toward the fuel bowser was exacerbated by the simultaneous activation of the airbrake and wheelbrakes.
- The pilot's reaction to the developing swing led to a nose-down pitch following the application of braking forces.
- The aircraft sustained significant structural damage to the forward and aft sections.