Landing gear failure leads to runway excursion at Redhill Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, GB

A Shadow Series CD aircraft sustained significant damage to its undercarriage and propeller during a training flight at Redhill Aerodrome.

What happened

On 27 July 2003, a Shadow Series CD, registration G-MTMY, was conducting a training flight at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey. The flight involved circuit practice, specifically a simulated short field landing. During the approach, the aircraft was flown at approximately 50-52 kt with flaps extended. While the approach was initially satisfactory, the aircraft experienced a firm touchdown during the round out.

Following this initial contact, the left wing dropped, causing a vibration throughout the airframe. Although the instructor managed to level the wings, a subsequent bounce led to a second touchdown. During this second contact, the left wing dropped again, causing the aircraft to slew to the left and depart the side of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to rest on its nose wheel, right mainwheel, and left wing tip. There were no injuries to the crew during the incident.

The investigation

Post-incident inspections revealed that the left-hand undercarriage assembly and a propeller blade had detached from the aircraft, coming to rest approximately 50 metres behind the aircraft's final position. The investigation established that the fibreglass undercarriage support rods had sheared at the upper frame sockets. As these rods separated, they struck the propeller, resulting in the loss of one blade.

Further examination of the aircraft's maintenance history noted that the right main wheel had been replaced just before the flight due to a crack in the hub. The instructor also reported feeling an unexpected lurch to the left during a previous touch-and-go during the same flight.

Findings

  • The aircraft sustained damage to the undercarriage, propeller, and wing tip.
  • The primary cause of the runway excursion was the shearing of the left landing gear support rods.
  • It is believed that the aircraft had likely sustained a heavy landing previously, which caused structural overstress to the left landing gear assembly.
  • The firm touchdown during the training flight acted as the final factor that triggered the structural failure of the undercarriage.

Probable cause

The failure of the left landing gear support rods, likely due to pre-existing structural overstress from a previous heavy landing, caused the aircraft to lose directional control and depart the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-07-27 SHADOW SERIES CD accident near Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, GB?

A Shadow Series CD aircraft sustained significant damage to its undercarriage and propeller during a training flight at Redhill Aerodrome.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-07-27 involved a SHADOW SERIES CD, registration G-MTMY, at Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure of the left landing gear support rods, likely due to pre-existing structural overstress from a previous heavy landing, caused the aircraft to lose directional control and depart the runway.

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