What happened
On 2 September 2001, a Taylor J.T.1 Monoplane, registration G-BEEW, departed Popham Airfield for a private pleasure flight. The intended destination was Childsford Farm strip near Kirdford. During the initial climb, the pilot was instructed to perform a right-hand turn to avoid a noise-sensitive area. The weather at the time was characterized by blustery conditions, with winds from 240° at 12 to 15 knots.
As the aircraft transitioned into a downwind leg, the right wing dipped. The pilot attempted to correct this by adjusting the nose position and applying left rudder. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft entered a rapid, fully developed right-hand spin. The pilot attempted recovery maneuvers, including centralising the stick, applying left rudder, and reducing throttle, but the aircraft continued through several turns. At an altitude of approximately 500 to 600 feet, the aircraft struck trees in a nearby woodland and came to rest upside down. The pilot escaped the wreckage with one minor injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot. The pilot, who had rebuilt the aircraft, inspected the wreckage and confirmed that there were no mechanical failures or disconnections in the flight controls prior to the event. The investigation noted that while the aircraft is placarded against intentional spinning, it typically exhibits a benign stall characteristic.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a spin while performing a climbing turn downwind.
- Insufficient airspeed during the turn was the primary factor leading to the stall and subsequent spin.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by monitoring surrounding air traffic, which led to a lack of concentration on maintaining airspeed.
- The blustery wind conditions contributed to the aerodynamic instability during the maneuver.
- The impact with the trees and the design of the aircraft's headrest and turtledeck likely mitigated the severity of the pilot's injuries.