Incident Overview
On 9 March 2003, at approximately 1340 UTC, a Grob G115E Tutor, registration G-BYWB, was conducting a training flight at Colerne Airfield in Wiltshire. The aircraft was operated by a Royal Air Force officer acting in the course of duty. The commander held 4,200 total flying hours, with 250 hours on type.
Flight Details
As the aircraft approached Runway 19 for a touch-and-go landing, the surface wind was recorded as 210° at 25 knots, gusting to 37 knots. The Royal Air Force operates the Grob 115 with a crosswind limit of 25 knots. The aircraft landed firmly on the main landing gear and pitched forward onto the nosewheel. Power was applied after touchdown, and the touch-and-go was completed. The aircraft subsequently landed as originally planned on the next approach.
Damage and Findings
A pre-flight inspection conducted three days after the incident revealed scrape damage on two of the three propeller blades. The engine was subsequently replaced due to shock loading. No injuries were reported among the crew (one pilot) and one passenger.
Regulatory Context
Article 21 of The Air Navigation Order 2000 permits a person to act as a flight crew member of a UK-registered aircraft without holding an appropriate license if acting in the course of duty as a member of Her Majesty's naval, military, or air forces. The pilot of G-BYWB was a Royal Air Force officer on duty, thus not required to hold a civilian license.