What happened
On 28 February 2009, a Super Aero 45 Series 4, registration G-APRR, was preparing for a private flight from Blackbushe Airport to Goodwood. During the takeoff roll on Runway 25, the aircraft began to swing toward the left. The pilot attempted to counteract this movement, but the correction resulted in an oscillation during the flight.
As the aircraft reached the point of lift-off, it entered a stall. This caused the right wing tip to impact the grass area adjacent to the runway. The impact forced the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees before it finally came to a stop in a gorse bush. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to its engines, nose, landing gear, tail structure, and wings. The pilot and two passengers, all wearing lap strap harnesses, sustained minor injuries and were able to exit the wreckage without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the takeoff roll and the aerodynamic behavior of the aircraft. The pilot provided a self-assessment, noting that the primary cause of the accident was a sequence of poor command decisions. Specifically, the pilot admitted to not verifying the airspeed before deciding to lift off, operating under the false impression that the aircraft had reached a safe flying speed. The pilot also noted that attempting to take off was perceived as a safer alternative than running the aircraft off the runway into the rough verge.
Findings
- The pilot failed to monitor the airspeed during the takeoff roll.
- The pilot's attempt to correct the leftward swing induced an oscillation.
- The pilot's decision to lift off without verifying sufficient airspeed led to the stall.
- The pilot's limited experience with taildragger aircraft operating from hard surfaces may have contributed to the error.