What happened
On 24 August 2003, a Rans S-6ES Coyote II, registration G-BYPT, was conducting a private flight from a farm strip near Milton Abbas to Compton Abbas Airfield for the purpose of refueling. The aircraft, which had been in the pilot's possession for only one week, was carrying one pilot and one passenger.
During the approach to the grass runway, the pilot configured the aircraft with full flaps. Upon touchdown, the aircraft ballooned and subsequently stalled, striking the ground nosewheel first. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground, resulting in damage to the engine cowling and the engine being shock loaded. There were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The investigation examined the cockpit ergonomics and the pilot's actions following touchdown. The pilot noted that the throttle lever was found in a mid-position during a post-accident inspection. He suggested that while attempting to retract the flaps after landing, he had accidentally moved the central throttle lever forward, causing an unplanned increase in power. The pilot also noted he had recently been acting on advice to retract flaps immediately after landing to reduce weight on the nosewheel.
Investigators clarified that the pilot's understanding of the instructor's advice regarding flap retraction was incorrect. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the physical layout of the cockpit, noting that the aircraft featured two throttle levers and a central flap lever. While the manufacturer and UK distributor had no prior reports of accidental throttle movement via the flap lever, the investigation identified significant ergonomic issues regarding the proximity and arrangement of the controls.