What happened
On 17 June 2006, a Gulfstream AA-5A, registration G-MSTC, departed from Andreas Airfield on the Isle of Man for a series of circuits. The flight, which included one passenger, began with a takeoff from Runway 11. During the fifth touch-and-go maneuver, the pilot encountered an unexpected shift in wind direction, resulting in a south-easterly wind of 3 to 4 knots.
Believing the wind was very light, the pilot decided to land on Runway 29 to avoid a long taxi back to the parking area. However, the pilot realized during the approach that a strong tailwind was present, leaving insufficient runway distance to stop. To avoid an overrun, the pilot initiated a go-around by applying full throttle. During the climb, the aircraft struck a hedge at the end of the runway, which contained an old farm trailer. The aircraft then landed heavily in an adjacent field. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's flap system and the flight conditions at the time of the accident. The Gulfstream AA-5A features electrically operated flaps controlled by a selection lever. The investigation established that the pilot had selected full flaps for the deep approach but failed to move the lever sufficiently to retract them during the go-around. Upon exiting the aircraft, the pilot observed that the wind had increased to between 10 and 12 knots and noted that the flaps remained in the extended position.
An assessment of the wreckage revealed extensive damage to the airframe. The left landing gear had been ripped from its mounts, the nose gear had fractured and collapsed, and the wing was badly distorted. Additionally, the propeller blades were bent, and the engine had suffered a shock load. The aircraft was deemed beyond economic repair.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a go-around while the flaps remained in the fully down position.
- The accident was caused by a combination of landing with a significant tailwind and the failure to retract the flaps during the climb.
- The pilot's decision to land on Runway 29 was based on an incorrect assessment of the wind strength.