What happened
On 29 May 2012, a Mainair Blade, registration G-MYTU, was conducting a training flight at a private airstrip near Wolvey, Warwickshire. The flight involved an instructor and a student, with the student seated in the front cockpit. The aircraft was performing visual circuits on a grass runway oriented 15/30, under light and variable winds.
During the fourth takeoff of the session, the microlight successfully became airborne within half of the available runway length. However, shortly after lift-off, the aircraft drifted toward the right, causing the right wing tip to strike adjacent standing crops. This impact resulted in damage to the wing tip, the landing gear, the 'A' frame, and one blade of the propeller.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of directional control. The instructor noted that the aircraft began to yaw rapidly to the right. The pilot believed that the engine was failing to produce full power at the moment of impact. Conversely, the instructor suspected that the student's right foot had slipped off the throttle during a critical phase of the takeoff, a situation that could not be corrected before the aircraft struck the crops.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to the propeller, landing gear, and wing tip.
- The aircraft drifted right and struck standing crops immediately after becoming airborne.
- There were no injuries to the two crew members on board.