What happened
On 9 September 2010, a Savannah VG Jabiru (2), registered G-CCSV, was involved in an accident during takeoff from a location near Inglenook Farm, Mayden/densole, Dover. The aircraft was being operated as a private flight with a single pilot on board. As the aircraft approached its lift-off speed, the pilot attempted to correct a swinging motion by applying excessive rudder. This maneuver caused the right wingtip to make contact with a hedge, subsequently leading the aircraft to ground loop into a boundary fence.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the aircraft's behavior during the takeoff roll and the pilot's corrective actions. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to its propeller, landing gear, and wings, while the boundary fence also sustained third-party damage. There were no injuries to the pilot during the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the application of excessive rudder by the pilot to counteract a swing during the takeoff phase.
- The contact between the right wingtip and a hedge initiated the ground loop into the fence.