What happened
On 11 August 2001, a Yak-52, registration RA44546, was performing aerobatic manoeuvres north of Compton Abbas Airfield in Wiltshire. The pilot, intending to fly to Kemble Airfield for a fly-in, had decided to perform a series of aerobatics before departing. After an initial successful sequence, the pilot radioed that his display was complete and he was proceeding to his destination. However, he subsequently initiated a second vertical climb.
At the apex of this climb, the aircraft entered a stall turn. Following this manoeuvre, the aircraft was observed entering a spin. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft rotate approximately four times before impacting the ground. The impact triggered a significant fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot, who was flying solo, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the pilot's recent flying history. The aircraft was found to have struck the ground at a steep angle, approximately 45 degrees nose down, with a high vertical speed. The engine was running at low power at the moment of impact, and the aircraft was spinning to the left. There was no evidence that any unsecured items in the rear cockpit interfered with the flight controls.
Regarding the pilot's experience, the investigation noted that while he was an experienced flyer with over 2,100 hours, he had been working towards a Display Authorisation. He had completed eight hours of specific aerobatic training in the Yak-52, but there was no record of training in recovering from flat spins. Notably, the pilot had recently experienced difficulty completing stall turns successfully.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a vertical manoeuvre that, if mishandled, could lead to a flat spin.
- The aircraft's rotation and the lack of recovery suggest the pilot may have been unable to recover from the spin due to the high physical forces required or the low altitude.
- The pilot's decision to perform vertical manoeuvres near the cloudbase was inconsistent with his usual cautious flying style.
- The altitude at which the spin developed left insufficient time for the pilot to identify the problem and use the parachute effectively.