What happened
On 27 April 2001, a Socata TB10 (Tobago), registration G-BKTY, was involved in a fatal accident at Sherburn Airfield, Yorkshire. The pilot had arrived at the airfield earlier that day to collect the aircraft following maintenance on an intercom unit. Before departure, the pilot refuelled the aircraft and stowed a towing arm in the baggage compartment.
During the takeoff roll from Runway 19, witnesses observed a large hole in the left fuselage, indicating that the baggage compartment door was either missing or open. The Chief Flying Instructor, monitoring the takeoff from the operations room, notified the pilot via radio. In response, the pilot initiated a turn to return to the airfield for an immediate landing.
While the aircraft initially appeared to be under control, it flew at an unusually low altitude and speed. As the aircraft approached the threshold of Runway 19, it entered a steep right-hand turn with an estimated bank angle of 80 degrees. The aircraft then struck the ground vertically, resulting in a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the baggage door attached to the fuselage but in the open position, with the upper portion embedded in the ground. The lock was found in the unlocked detent. The towing arm was recovered from the baggage compartment.
The engine and flight control systems were inspected for mechanical failure. The engine was found to be producing power at the time of impact, and no evidence of catastrophic failure was found. The investigation also considered the possibility of an autopilot malfunction, but ruled this out as the system is not typically used during takeoff or landing and could be easily overridden by the pilot.
Findings
- The baggage door was open during the flight, though it is unclear how it became unlatched.
- The pilot's decision to return to land immediately after being notified of the open door increased his workload.
- The aircraft's handling during the final, extreme maneuvering stage may have been affected by the open door, though the manufacturer suggested the aerodynamic impact would be minimal.
- There was no evidence of pre-existing medical conditions in the pilot, though the possibility of sudden incapacitation could not be entirely dismissed.