What happened
On 10 August 2008, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-BFSC, was involved in a ground accident at Ridgewell Airfield in Suffolk. Following the completion of a glider tow operation, the pilot landed the aircraft on the grass Runway 23. After bringing the aircraft to a stop into the wind, the pilot retracted the flaps and initiated a left turn using differential braking and rudder input to backtrack up the runway.
During this maneuver, the aircraft was turning crosswind in significant wind conditions, recorded at 230 degrees and 22 knots. As the turn progressed, the left wing dropped toward the ground, and the aircraft began to pitch forward. The nose-over continued until the propeller and the left wing tip made contact with the ground. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, remained uninjured and was able to exit the aircraft on his own after ensuring the switches were in a safe position.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the taxiing maneuver and the environmental conditions present at the time of the incident. The assessment focused on the interaction between the aircraft's movement and the prevailing wind direction during the turn.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the engine cowling, the propeller, and the left wing tip.
- The accident was caused by the aircraft turning crosswind in a strong wind, which led to the loss of control during the taxiing turn.