What happened
On 18 April 2001, a Hoffmann HK 36R Super Dimona, registration G-LIDA, was conducting a training flight at Bidford Airfield, Alcester. The flight was a trial lesson with an instructor operating the aircraft from the right-hand seat and a student seated on the left.
During the approach to Runway 06, the aircraft was maintained at an indicated airspeed of 60 kt using idle power and a small amount of airbrake. As the aircraft neared the ground, it encountered light turbulence. During the flare maneuver, the nose of the aircraft pitched downward, resulting in the propeller making contact with the runway surface. The impact caused the aircraft to come to an immediate halt. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the engine, propeller, and undercarriage.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot. The examiner examined the sequence of events leading to the impact and the pilot's control inputs. It was determined that the pilot, who was an instructor, was operating the aircraft from his less familiar side (the right seat) for the purpose of the lesson.
Findings
- The primary cause of the nose-down pitch during the flare was pilot confusion between the control stick and the airbrake lever.
- This error was attributed to the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft's controls while seated in the right-hand position.