What happened
On 1 September 2001, a Stitts Playboy SA3A, registration G-BGLZ, was conducting a private local flight from Fenland Airfield. The weather conditions at the time of the incident were favorable, with a light surface wind of 06 knots.
During the landing phase on runway 36, which consisted of dry grass, the aircraft completed a standard approach and touched down. However, immediately after settling onto the runway, the aircraft began to veer toward the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation using right rudder and braking, but the aircraft continued to rotate through 180 degrees. As the aircraft came to a halt, it slid sideways into a drainage dyke. The impact caused damage to the front and rear spars of the right wing because the wingtip supported the weight of the aircraft while it was stuck in the dyke.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the loss of directional control. The pilot noted that the aircraft type is generally challenging to land, mentioning that other members of the aircraft's owner group had previously experienced ground loops without damage.
An inspection of the aircraft's mechanical systems revealed no evidence of any prior defects in the steering linkages or the tail wheel assembly. It was noted that ballast was present in the fin area, and the investigation highlighted that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity would be verified following necessary repairs.