What happened
On 16 September 2006, a Mainair Blade trike, registration G-BYOW, was involved in an accident at Barra, Scotland, during a private flight. The pilot was participating in a club visit to Plockton and decided to fly to Barra. Prior to departure, the pilot obtained a weather forecast via local BBC news, which indicated a southerly wind of 7 kt and visibility exceeding 10 km. Information from Barra airport indicated that Runway 15 was active with a wind of 160 degrees at 20 kt.
During the flight, the pilot flew at an altitude of 9,800 ft, noting a tailwind. Upon approaching Barra, the wind increased to a 35 kt headwind. The pilot encountered difficulty managing the aircraft in the circuit due to strong rotors descending from the hills south of the runway. Despite these conditions, the pilot successfully landed on the sand runway and back-tracked toward the parking area. While taxiing, a powerful gust of wind caused the wing to lift, tipping the trike over. The impact forced the base bar into the pilot's chest, resulting in minor injuries to the crew. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including bent components and broken propeller blades.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions and the pilot's methods for obtaining weather information. It was noted that the pilot could not access online Met Office services and relied on local radio broadcasts. The investigation also reviewed the manufacturer's guidance regarding ground handling. The manufacturer stated they do not publish specific limits for ground handling, noting that while steady winds are manageable, gusty conditions present significant operational challenges.
Findings
- The pilot relied on a local radio weather forecast which did not account for the actual gusty conditions present.
- The information provided by Barra airport did not mention the potential for gusts.
- The Met Office reported a fresh to strong southerly flow in the region, with winds at 2,000 ft estimated at 25 kt, potentially gusting to 30 kt.
- A strong wind gust caused the aircraft to tip over while the pilot was taxiing to the parking area.