What happened
On 28 December 1997, a Jodel D117, registration G-AWWI, was involved in a ground accident at Rhigos Airfield in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The aircraft, operated for a private flight, was taxiing from its hangar across a grass surface. During the maneuver, the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft to the right by applying power and using the right brake.
As the aircraft moved, it encountered a combination of a 15-knot wind from the left and a ground surface that sloped upward to the left. While traveling downwind and down the slope, the aircraft's wheels moved into an area of soft ground. This caused the aircraft to tip forward onto its nose. The pilot, who was wearing appropriate safety restraints, was able to exit the aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the environmental conditions at the airfield and the physical state of the taxiway at the time of the incident. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to the engine area, the spinner, the propeller, and the base of the rudder.