What happened
On 29 April 2011, a P and M Aviation Pegasus Quik, registration G-CGRW, was involved in a ground accident at a farm strip located in Castlederg, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The aircraft was being operated on a private flight by a single pilot.
While the pilot was performing a right-hand turn during taxiing, a gust of wind impacted the right wing of the aircraft. This sudden force caused the aircraft to tip onto its left side, resulting in the left wingtip making contact with the ground. The pilot vacated the aircraft following the incident and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form submitted by the pilot. The assessment focused on the sequence of events during the taxiing maneuver and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's movement was a direct result of wind interaction during a low-speed turn.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the wing, control frame, propeller, and monopole.
- The primary cause of the incident was a gust of wind that caught the right wing during a right turn, destabilizing the aircraft and causing it to tip.