What happened
On 22 July 2006, a Yak-52, registration G-LENA, was performing a private pleasure flight near Bournemouth Airport. The flight was intended as a birthday celebration for a passenger. After taking off from Runway 26, the aircraft performed a high-speed, low-level approach towards the airfield. Following clearance from Air Traffic Control for a low approach and go-around, the pilot executed a 'zoom climb', pitching the aircraft up to an attitude of 30º to 40º at a height of approximately 100 to 200 feet.
During this manoeuvre, the aircraft began a rapid roll to the right. Witnesses observed the aircraft becoming inverted and entering a near-vertical rolling dive. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground at a steep, nose-down angle and caught fire. The impact was not survivable, and both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and conducted post-mortem examinations. The investigation focused on whether a mechanical failure or pilot error caused the loss of control. While the aircraft appeared to be in a serviceable condition, investigators looked into the possibility of flight control interference.
Analysis of the wreckage revealed that the passenger's seven-point harness was not fully secured; while the lap straps were fastened, the shoulder straps and the crotch strap were not. Investigators tested the potential for the unsecured crotch strap buckle to migrate and jam the roll control mechanism. Furthermore, a small screwdriver was found in the rear cockpit, though evidence suggested it was not positioned to interfere with the controls at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft's pull-up and subsequent roll were likely intentional manoeuvres, though they were inconsistent with the passenger's request for a non-aerobatic flight.
- The unsecured crotch strap buckle is considered a possible factor that may have jammed the flight controls, preventing the pilot from recovering from the roll.
- There was no evidence of engine failure or pre-existing medical conditions in either occupant.
- The passenger may have experienced instability or moved toward the controls due to the lack of shoulder restraint during the high-G manoeuvre.