What happened
On 17 July 2006, at approximately 19:50 UTC, a Mainair Blade, registration G-MZIW, was involved in an incident near Nightfield Lane, Balderstone, Lancashire. During the flight, the pilot experienced a sudden, unexpected jolt transmitted through the airframe and the flight controls.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the sudden movement felt by the pilot. A key element of the investigation involved the physical state of the aircraft following the event. The pilot reported that the jolt was of an undetermined nature. Furthermore, investigators noted that the radiator cowl was not located at the site of the accident. The pilot suggested that the missing component might have detached from the aircraft and subsequently struck the propeller, which could have been the source of the vibration or jolt felt in the controls.
Findings
- The pilot was operating under a CAA Private Pilot’s Licence (Microlights) with a National Private Pilot’s Licence Declaration of Medical Fitness to Fly.
- The pilot experienced a physical jolt through the aircraft controls and airframe.
- The radiator cowl was missing from the accident scene, and its potential impact with the propeller is a suspected cause of the disturbance.