What happened
On 27 September 2008, a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-JABS, was performing a private flight when it departed the runway at Chilbolton Airfield, Hampshire. Following a standard approach and touchdown on the grass Runway 06, the pilot applied the brakes. Shortly after, the aircraft began to skid toward the left. Despite the pilot's attempts to apply full right rudder to correct the direction, the aircraft left the confines of the runway. The nosewheel descended into an adjacent area of cultivated land, and the aircraft traveled approximately 10 to 15 metres before coming to a halt. During the excursion, the propeller struck the ground, and the right wing dropped sufficiently to make contact with the surface. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the skid and the condition of the airfield. The pilot noted that while the weather was good and there was no wind, the grass surface was beginning to accumulate dew, making it damp. The pilot also considered whether the simultaneous use of the brakes and rudder inputs might have induced the skid, though they could not definitively recall if the brakes were released during the recovery attempt. A post-accident engineering inspection was conducted on the Jabiru UL-450, but this failed to reveal any mechanical or technical defects that could have contributed to the loss of directional control.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the starboard wing, propeller, nosewheel, and linkage.
- The dampness of the grass surface due to dew may have reduced lateral friction.
- The combination of braking and rudder inputs was identified as a potential factor in causing the aircraft to skid.