What happened
On 12 September 2002, a Rollason Beta B2, registration G-BUPC, was completing a 40-minute local flight when it approached a grass runway at Clutton Hill Farm, Bristol. The pilot intended to land on Runway 25, opting for this runway despite a light tailwind because of its marked upslope.
During the final approach, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft's speed, aiming for a touchdown near the threshold. After floating along the runway, the aircraft touched down approximately 150 metres from the start of the 690-metre grass strip in a stalled, tail-low attitude. Upon contact with the main wheels, the aircraft veered sharply to the left, though the pilot managed to correct the direction using right rudder and minimal braking.
As the groundspeed decreased to roughly 20 kt, the tail began to lift. The aircraft pitched forward, and the pilot deactivated the magnetos just before the propeller made contact with the ground. The lower lip of the carburettor intake subsequently struck the runway, causing the aircraft to dig in and tip over onto its back. There were no injuries to the pilot, and no fire occurred. The pilot was able to exit the inverted aircraft by pushing through a cracked canopy.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The pilot noted that the inside of the left main wheel spat had sustained damage during a previous takeoff from the uneven runway surface. It was determined that fragments of fibreglass from this damage had become lodged in the left wheel, resulting in the brake binding during the landing roll.
Findings
- The aircraft's forward pitch and subsequent inversion were caused by the carburettor intake digging into the runway surface.
- The binding of the left brake, caused by debris from a damaged wheel spat, contributed to the loss of directional control and the aircraft's instability.
- The combination of the tailwind and the undulating nature of the grass runway surface further influenced the aircraft's behavior during the landing roll.