Steve Ayres summarises and comments on accident reports from around the world and looks at a very neat and lightweight ‘bothy bag’ that could just save the day…
4 August 2020
An ICON A5 amphibian aeroplane was damaged when it was involved in an accident near the Sky Harbor Airport (DYT), Duluth, Minnesota.
According to the pilot, he taxied downwind on the water for take-off. When facing into the wind, he applied full power and about five seconds later, heard a ‘loud bang’. He shut down the engine, climbed out, looked back, and saw that all three propeller blades were missing. At this point the aeroplane started to sink. He and his passenger donned life jackets and evacuated the aircraft.
Substantial damage was noted to the aeroplane’s fuselage, including holes in the hull.
Several days later, the pilot recalled that before he taxied out the aircraft had been washed. He had placed a portable speaker on the top of the aeroplane to listen to some music. He did not recall putting the speaker away before departure. He added, ‘that the speaker must have rolled over the engine compartment and into the propellers’.
Comment We’ve all done it, put something on the wing while chewing the breeze or while working on the airframe, but this accident reminds us how risky that can be, particularly where pusher props are concerned.
I will leave our amphibian pilots to explain how they do their walk rounds, but there is no doubt how vital a part they play in keeping safe.
A Van’s RV-8 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mandan, North Dakota, in which the pilot sustained fatal injuries.
“A witness advised the pilot that the rear seat belt was securing the rear control stick”
According to initial information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a witness observed the aeroplane on the ramp prior to the flight and advised the pilot that the rear seat belt was securing the rear control stick. The pilot subsequently departed in the aircraft. The take-off was a three-point one and the aeroplane then had a steep climb. The aeroplane descended, impacted terrain, and a ground fire occurred.
Comment The probable cause is a reminder to always do that full and free check. For tandem cockpit aircraft in particular, it is a further reminder that securing the rear stick for whatever reason is a potential recipe for disaster.
The pilot and a passenger, also a pilot, were flying from Ronaldsway Airport to a private airstrip at Mount Rule on the Isle of Man. The pilot had not landed at the airstrip before, but the passenger had landed there many times, but not in M-GOLF.
The take-off appeared normal and there were no technical issues noted with the aircraft while en route.
Upon arrival, the pilot flew three circuits, with one at low level, in order to familiarise himself with the airstrip before positioning to land on grass Runway 28, which was about 530m long and had an uphill slope.
At the end of the runway were several farm gates that led to an adjacent field, bounded by a hedge, which was used for livestock. The reported wind was from 100° at 7kt.
The pilot recalled configuring the aircraft for the approach with the propeller set to its fine position, carb mixture fully rich and flown at a speed of 60kt. The pilot stated that the flaps were set at an intermediate position between 20° and full flap.
A witness next to Runway 28 recorded video footage of the aircraft as it landed. The final sequence was not recorded, but the footage showed that the aircraft touched down about halfway along the runway. It stayed on the ground for a further six seconds before the video ended. At this point it was estimated that the aircraft was about 110m from the end of the runway.
The pilot stated that as the aircraft touched down, he saw a horse appear near the end of the runway and almost immediately initiated a baulked landing. At the same time, the passenger also expressed the need to go-around, as the aircraft had landed further along the runway than intended. The pilot stated that he then set the flaps to 20° and advanced the throttle to the full power position, but the aircraft did not accelerate as expected. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway it started to become airborne, but then hit the farm gates.
The aircraft then touched down in the adjacent field, overturned and ended up inverted. The pilot and passenger were uninjured and vacated the aircraft unaided, but the aeroplane was damaged beyond economic repair.
The pilot considered that the aircraft did not accelerate and climb as expected because of a possible loss of engine power or malfunction with the constant speed propeller.
Comment: The AAIB did not determine a cause, but as we know landing on a relatively short strip with a tailwind can be a challenge, even with an upslope and everything working for you. It all happens in a bit of a rush until it comes to getting airborne again, such as in the event of a baulked landing when it takes forever. That makes a late-decision go-around really fraught. Add to that a possible mechanical problem…
The aircraft was being flown to a grass airstrip near Almeley Wootton (approximately 5nm south-west of Shobdon). The pilot made an approach to land on the north-westerly runway with the wind about 5kt across. The pilot reported that he landed on the main wheels, but as the nosewheel touched down the aircraft started to oscillate in pitch. The nosewheel detached, the propeller struck the ground and the aircraft came to a sudden stop. Neither occupant was injured and both exited the aircraft normally. The pilot believes the accident was caused by a slightly higher ground speed than he was used to, due to the lack of headwind, as well as him closing the throttle slightly early, causing the aircraft to drop onto the runway. He was aware that he was landing on a short runway so did not want to land too far along it.
“The extinguisher went past the passenger’s head and through the windscreen”
The pilot reported that as the aircraft came to a sudden halt the fire extinguisher, mounted at the back of the baggage compartment, came loose, went past the passenger’s head and through the windscreen. Once the aircraft is fixed, the pilot intends to relocate the fire extinguisher behind the seats to ensure it is secure.
Comment: While there are lessons to be learned from the accident itself, I was struck by the detachment of the fire extinguisher! Photographs show that it punched a neat hole in the windscreen, and I couldn’t help but reflect on what might have happened if the baggage hold was stuffed with Beaujolais, or whatever else we carry around ‘down the back’. Sudden stops can happen – even in aircraft.
The aircraft was parked close to the airfield fuel pump installation. The pilot carried out his pre-flight inspection and, passenger boarded, started the engine. He taxied the aircraft forward before making a right turn, and during the latter stages the outboard section of the left wing leading edge struck the fuel pump. The pilot immediately shut down the aircraft and inspected the wing, which had a small dent on the leading edge. Having inspected the damage, which he considered was minimal, he considered that it would be safe to fly. It was late afternoon and he had to complete the flight before night, but he did not want to disappoint his passenger, so he pushed the aircraft back, restarted the engine and departed.
Due to the delay, however, he then landed about 15 to 20 mins into night time. He reported the contact with the fuel pump and having flown at night to the flying club. It made clear to the pilot the action he should have taken – getting the damage inspected and curtailing his flight to avoid flying at night.
Comment: The club was correct in pointing out to this low hours PPL holder such an incident should be handled. Hats off to the pilot for reporting the events. Honest reporting, without any fear of recrimination is a big step towards safer flying. May there be more of it.
While the Lomo shelter is probably an essential piece of kit for the more adventurous among us, most occupants rarely fly ‘dressed to survive’, so having this on board could certainly be a life saver.
It is made from high-viz orange, PU-coated polyester and has two large retro reflective patches on the front to help reflect the torch light from a search party or helicopter searchlight.
A viewing window is also included to let the occupants see out, while keeping sheltered, and two air-vent snorkels help with ventilation. These can be adjusted or closed in heavy winds and rain.
This type of emergency shelter, sometimes referred to as a ‘bothy bag’, is in common use by hill walkers, and weighing-in at only 360 grams makes it practicable to carry airborne too.
The dimensions are: 21cm x 10cm (when folded away) and 1.3m x 96cm x 45cm (when erected).
