Accident Details
On 5 October 1999 at 1832 hours UTC, a privately operated YAK-52 (registration LY-AFB) sustained damage during a landing accident at Stoneacre Farm, Kent. The aircraft was a single-engine model powered by an Ivchenko Vedeneyev M-14P piston engine and was manufactured in 1982. The sole occupant, a 35-year-old male private pilot with 790 hours total flying experience (including 320 on type), reported minor injuries. Damage was limited to the wingtips, ailerons, rudder, and propeller.
Circumstances
The pilot initially approached Runway 24, but due to limited visibility into the sun and calm wind conditions, he decided to go around and land on Runway 06. The landing strip was approximately 300 meters long with a wet grass surface. The pilot performed a full-stall landing about 100 feet from the approach end. He applied gentle braking on the uphill slope, but the brakes locked at the point where the runway began to slope downhill, causing the aircraft to enter a skid. Despite releasing the brakes, the aircraft continued off the end of the runway, through a hedge and fence, and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Observations
The pilot attributed the accident to his failure to account for the downhill slope and damp grass. He noted that the five-point harness likely prevented more serious injury, but the minor bruising to his head would not have occurred had he worn a helmet. He also suggested that a canopy-breaking tool would be useful emergency equipment.