Incident Overview
On 9 August 2000 at 1555 UTC, a Jabiru SK, registration G-BYBZ, was involved in an incident at Coventry Airport while conducting engine run-up checks. The aircraft, manufactured in 1999 and powered by a single Jabiru Aircraft PTY 2200A piston engine, was on a private flight with only the pilot on board. The pilot, aged 67, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 195 total flying hours, with 32 hours on type.
Sequence of Events
The pilot taxied the aircraft to holding point 'J' at Coventry Airport and prepared to carry out engine run-up checks. The taxiway was too narrow to allow the aircraft to turn fully into the wind. Consequently, the pilot turned the aircraft until the wind was blowing from approximately 45° right of the nose.
As the pilot opened the throttle and the engine RPM increased through approximately 2,200 to 2,300 RPM, the right wing lifted. The left wing tip then rested on the ground, causing the aircraft to tip forward. The propeller struck the ground, resulting in damage to the propeller and nose landing gear. The pilot shut down the engine and vacated the aircraft without injury.
Wind Conditions
The surface wind reported by the airfield ATIS for the period covering half an hour before to half an hour after the incident was 240°/12 kt. Although no gusts were reported by the ATIS, a pilot who had flown during this period reported gusty conditions. The Meteorological Office aftercast indicated that gusts up to 22 kt were likely in the prevailing convective conditions.
Manufacturer's Advisory
The manufacturer has advised of one similar incident involving a gusting wind from the right rear quarter with the engine at idle RPM.