What happened
On 13 May 2010, a Gulfstream AA-5A Cheetah, registration G-RATE, was involved in an accident during a private flight at Leicester Airfield. The pilot, who was performing his first flight in this specific aircraft type, was accompanied by three passengers.
During the pre-takeoff procedures, the pilot adjusted the pitch trim to a nose-up position that he believed was suitable for the current aircraft weight and loading. As the aircraft accelerated down the runway, it became airborne at a speed lower than the published rotation speed. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft experienced a significant drop in the right wing. In response, the pilot reduced engine power to idle and performed an emergency landing back on the runway. During the landing sequence, the aircraft's wing tips and tailplane made contact with the ground, and a runway light was damaged. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's pre-takeoff configuration and the aircraft's aerodynamic behavior during the takeoff roll. Investigators examined the pilot's flight experience and the specific trim settings used during the flight. It was established that the pilot had selected a nose-up trim setting that was excessive for the flight conditions. This configuration caused the aircraft to rotate prematurely, leading to a loss of lift and a subsequent stall-like condition.
Findings
- The pilot applied excessive nose-up pitch trim prior to takeoff.
- The aircraft reached rotation speed earlier than intended due to the trim setting.
- The aircraft's right wing dropped shortly after becoming airborne.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the wing tips, tailplane, and a runway light.