What happened
On 16 July 2008, a Pitts S1 Special, registration G-BXAU, was returning to Kemble Airfield in Gloucestershire following a brief period of aerobatic maneuvers. The flight was being conducted as a private operation by a single pilot.
Prior to the landing, the weather conditions had shifted; while the wind had been calm during the takeoff phase, the wind speed had risen to approximately 10 knots, approaching the runway at an angle of roughly 40 degrees. Upon touchdown on Runway 26, the left lower wing made contact with the runway surface. This contact initiated a ground loop, causing the aircraft to rotate and come to a halt facing the direction of the runway heading. The incident resulted in damage to the propeller, the landing gear, the lower wing, and the underside of the fuselage. The pilot was uninjured and was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading from the takeoff to the landing, specifically focusing on the change in wind conditions and the aircraft's behavior during the landing roll.