What happened
On 24 September 2002, a Rand KR-2, registration G-JCMW, was conducting a series of development test flights at Sturgate Airfield, Lincolnshire. The flights were being carried out to secure a Permit to Fly, specifically to evaluate climb performance and engine reliability following propeller and trim modifications.
During the second test flight, the pilot encountered significant difficulty rotating the aircraft during the takeoff roll. At approximately 70 kt IAS, the aircraft experienced a violent pitch-up, which the pilot managed through aggressive elevator inputs that caused pitch oscillations. While climb performance and engine temperatures were satisfactory, the aircraft's low-speed handling was being assessed.
During the approach to Runway 09, the pilot attempted a round-out at 65 kt IAS. Upon reducing throttle, the pilot found it impossible to flare the aircraft. The aircraft descended onto its main wheels and pitched forward onto the nose gear, bouncing before landing again on the nose and main wheels nearly simultaneously. The impact caused the nose landing gear to detach and the propeller to shatter. The pilot was uninjured, and there were no fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration, noting that a two-bladed, 54-inch diameter propeller had been installed prior to the flight to improve performance. The investigation also looked into modifications made to the elevator trim tab, which had been enlarged to address pitch stability issues.
Post-accident inspections by both the AAIB and a PFA engineer confirmed that the aircraft's center of gravity was within limits and that the control rigging was correct. The investigation found that the elevators had a fixed range of movement, with an upward travel of 28.5 degrees and a downward travel of 13.5 degrees, and that the tailplane position was non-adjustable. No evidence was found of any mechanical obstruction that might have prevented the full rearward movement of the control column.
Findings
- The pilot was unable to flare the aircraft due to insufficient elevator authority at the landing speed.
- The aircraft's nose landing gear detached from the nose leg due to the impact of the landing.
- The propeller was destroyed during the impact.
- The aircraft's center of gravity was within the permitted limits for the flight.