Aircraft and Crew
The accident involved a Pietenpol Aircamper, registration G-PIET, powered by a single Continental C90-12F piston engine and manufactured in 1999. The aircraft was on a training flight with two occupants: the commander, who held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, aged 49, with 15,000 total flying hours (50 on type), and another pilot undergoing a check flight, who had 368 total hours (10 on type). Both pilots wore full harnesses.
Sequence of Events
On 31 August 2004 at 1401 UTC, the aircraft was conducting a training takeoff on Runway 26 at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire. The grass runway was dry, 826 metres long and 45 metres wide. Weather conditions were good, with a north-westerly wind of 5 to 10 knots. During the takeoff roll, before reaching takeoff speed, the aircraft struck a bump and became airborne momentarily. Two larger bounces followed; at the apex of the third bounce, the left wing dropped. The instructor took over control and ensured the control stick was fully forward, though the other pilot had already placed it in that position. The aircraft descended while turning left. The left undercarriage struck the ground and collapsed, followed by the propeller striking the ground. The aircraft then ground looped to the left, causing the right undercarriage leg to collapse and the tail skid to dig into the ground, breaking the tail section.
Post-Accident Observations
The aircraft remained upright after coming to rest. Both pilots, who sustained only minor injuries, were able to exit the aircraft without assistance. The aircraft suffered substantial damage. The instructor considered that the variable wind might have changed direction just as the aircraft became airborne, possibly leading to a loss of airspeed and the left wing drop.