What happened
On 16 June 2008, a Yak-50, registration G-YKSO, was conducting a local aerobatic training flight near White Waltham Airfield. Following a period of maneuvers in a designated area west of the airfield, the pilot transitioned to a radio frequency to receive coaching from a ground observer.
Upon returning to the airfield, the pilot joined the circuit on the base leg. During this phase, the pilot observed another aircraft climbing away following a touch-and-go landing. To maintain visual separation and ensure the runway was clear, the pilot focused on descending and slowing the aircraft to position himself behind the other traffic.
As the aircraft approached the runway extended centerline, the pilot attempted a smooth touchdown on the grass runway. During the flare, the aircraft appeared to stall, causing the tailwheel to strike the ground with significant force. This impact pitched the aircraft forward, resulting in the propeller striking the ground and disintegrating. The impact caused a shock load to the engine and damaged the lower cowling and oil cooler. The aircraft slid approximately 100 meters along the runway before coming to a halt. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation established that the landing gear selector lever was in the retracted position at the time of the accident. The pilot admitted that several distractions occurred during the circuit join, including the need to manage speed and altitude while following other traffic. These factors led to the inadvertent omission of the required downwind and final approach checklists. The investigation also noted that the pilot's focus on achieving a smooth landing at low power contributed to the oversight of the gear configuration.
Findings
- The landing gear was retracted during the approach.
- The pilot omitted critical flight checks due to distractions while maneuvering behind other aircraft.
- The aircraft struck the ground with the gear up, leading to propeller destruction and engine shock loading.