What happened
On 30 August 2000, a Jabiru UL, registration G-MGCA, was performing a private flight at Redhill Aerodrome. During an approach to runway 08L, the pilot determined the aircraft was landing too far down the runway and initiated a go-around procedure. Upon applying full power, the aircraft was suddenly beset by intense vibrations and a significant loss of engine thrust.
The pilot issued a MAYDAY call and subsequently performed a forced landing in an unprepared area of long grass located within the airfield boundaries, beyond the runway. The pilot escaped the incident without injury, and the aircraft sustained no damage other than to the propeller blades.
The investigation
Air Traffic Control observed the aircraft beginning its go-around near the 26R runway markings and noted debris falling from the aircraft. The propeller and associated fragments were recovered and analyzed by composite specialists at DERA, Farnborough.
The investigation focused on a two-bladed wooden propeller sheathed in glassfibre. Examination of the blades revealed that the top skin of one blade had detached, and the bottom skin of the same blade was missing. On the second blade, a section of the wood core, top skin, and leading edge insert had been lost. While some damage to the propeller was attributed to the impact with vegetation during the forced landing, investigators looked for evidence of failure preceding the touchdown.
Findings
- The investigation could not recover the specific material that initially triggered the propeller failure.
- Evidence indicated that the separation of the glassfibre skins on one blade originated at the tip.
- Pre-existing running damage was present at the blade tip, which likely contributed to the initial delamination of the composite skins.