What happened
On 13 February 2000, a Pitts S-2A, registration G-BTTR, was performing a private flight at Bagby Airfield in North Yorkshire. While attempting to land on the grass Runway 24, the pilot encountered a 10 kt crosswind from the right. Although the initial touchdown appeared normal, the main wheels encountered bumps on the runway surface, causing the aircraft to bounce back into the air.
During this bounce, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway. As the main wheels crossed the runway boundary, the lower left wing collided with a warning sign that stood one metre high. This impact caused the aircraft to slew further left, away from the runway, and down a slope. The aircraft eventually reached boggy ground, where it overturned at a low forward speed. The pilot, wearing a helmet and secured by a seven-point aerobatic harness, was able to exit the upturned aircraft without assistance and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions present at the time. It was noted that the sun was positioned low in the sky and aligned with the runway, creating a glare that hindered the pilot's visibility over the nose of the aircraft. The investigation also looked into the physical layout of the airfield, specifically the position of the warning sign that was struck during the excursion.
Findings
- The aircraft's flight path drifted laterally due to the pilot misjudging the drift following the bounce.
- The impact with the warning sign was a primary factor in the aircraft's excursion from the runway.
- Sun glare significantly reduced the pilot's ability to monitor the aircraft's position relative to the runway edge.
- The warning sign, which was destroyed in the accident, has since been moved to a safer distance from the runway edge.