What happened
On 8 January 2000, a Rans S6-ESD, registration G-MYTE, was conducting a private flight when the pilot attempted to return to the departure airstrip. The aircraft was approaching Runway 06, which featured a damp grass surface. Weather conditions at the time were favorable, with a light surface wind estimated at 260/05 knots.
During the late stages of the final approach, the pilot determined that the aircraft was too high on the glide path. In response, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure. As full power was applied and a left turn commenced, the left wing of the aircraft dropped. This caused the G-MYTE to make contact with the ground, resulting in a ground loop. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its left wing and undercarriage, though there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation, based on the accident report submitted by the pilot, examined the flight parameters and the aircraft's configuration. Investigators reviewed the pilot's flying experience, noting 290 total hours, with 46 hours specifically on this aircraft type. Technical assessments were also performed to determine if the aircraft's weight or balance contributed to the loss of control.
Findings
- The pilot identified that an error in judgement occurred when allowing the airspeed to decay excessively before initiating the turn.
- Calculations performed following the accident confirmed that the aircraft was operating within its normal weight and center of gravity (CG) limits.