What happened
On 25 June 2004, a Pietenpol Aircamper, registration G-BYFT, was performing a private flight from a grass runway at Lichfield, Staffordshire. During the takeoff roll on Runway 21, the pilot initially applied partial power for a fast taxi before transitioning to full power to commence the takeoff. As the aircraft reached rotation speed and began to lift off the ground, the pilot experienced a physical thud. Immediately following this impact, the aircraft began leaning toward the left side due to a partial failure of the left main landing gear. The pilot responded by reducing engine power to maintain control, but the left main gear subsequently collapsed entirely. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway with no injuries reported to the pilot, though the propeller and left landing gear sustained damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the runway surface and the mechanical state of the aircraft's landing gear. It was noted that the chalk runway designation numbers, specifically the '21' marking, were recessed into the ground by approximately three inches. The investigation focused on the interaction between the aircraft's landing gear and these recessed markings during the takeoff roll.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the left main gear becoming caught on the recessed chalk runway markings.
- As the left main gear passed over the '21' designation, the depth of the markings caused a shock load to be applied to the structure.
- This sudden impact resulted in the failure of a 'rose' joint within the left main landing gear assembly.