Accident
On 22 July 2006 at 1846 UTC, a Yakovlev Yak-52, registration G-LENA, operated as a private flight, crashed at Bournemouth Airport, Dorset. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post-crash fire. Both the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries.
Flight History
The flight was arranged by friends of the passenger as part of his 60th birthday celebrations. The pilot and passenger were acquainted but had not flown together previously. After boarding, the pilot gave a safety briefing. The passenger occupied the rear seat and was observed not securing the shoulder straps of his seven-point harness; he declined assistance, stating he would not require them. The crotch strap was also unsecured. The pilot was not seen to be aware of this.
The aircraft departed from Runway 26. The takeoff appeared normal, but the aircraft remained low over the runway while accelerating. After gear retraction, it climbed steeply and departed to the south-west. At 1844 hrs, the pilot contacted Bournemouth Tower, reporting on left base leg and requesting a low approach and go-around. He was cleared for the manoeuvre.
Witnesses observed the aircraft approach from the south-east. During the final approach, a puff of smoke and a change in engine note suggested increased power. The aircraft flew level at a few hundred feet, then dived toward the runway threshold. It then pitched up to 30-40°, climbed to about 100-200 ft, and began a roll to the right. Some witnesses perceived the roll as possibly the start of a barrel roll. However, at the inverted position, the nose pitched toward the ground. The aircraft entered a steep rolling dive and impacted the ground. A brief transmission from the pilot indicated awareness of danger.
Investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no aircraft malfunctions. The investigation established that the passenger used only the lap strap elements of his harness; the crotch strap buckle was found unsecured. It was possible for the rear seat crotch strap buckle to become trapped in the flight controls, potentially preventing the pilot from applying corrective left roll inputs. The reason for the pilot losing control could not be positively established.
The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence with 2,500 hours total, including 34 on type. He had received conversion training on the Yak-52 in 1992 and refresher training in 2004 and 2005. Other pilots described him as competent but lacking confidence, and considered a low-level aerobatic manoeuvre out of character.
Weather and Recorded Data
Meteorological conditions: wind 250°/9 kt, visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 5,000 ft, temperature 21°C, dewpoint 15°C, QNH 1016 hPa. Radar data from NATS did not cover the accident flight. A portable GPS receiver was on board but data could not be recovered.
Conclusion
The accident was not survivable due to the severe impact. The investigation did not assign a probable cause, but identified a possible safety issue with harness buckle interference.