News story

AAIB Report: Silent 2 Electro (G-CIRK), during takeoff the aircraft stalled and hit the ground in a steep nose down impact, Wormingford Airfield, Colchester, Essex

A Silent 2 Electro motor glider (G-CIRK) suffered a propeller strike shortly before it got airborne. 皇冠体育app glider climbed steeply, stalled and entered an incipient spin to the left. 皇冠体育app glider struck the ground nose-first and the pilot suffered serious injuries, 23 April 2021.

Accident site

During the ground roll for a self-launched takeoff, the motor glider suffered a propeller strike shortly before it got airborne. 皇冠体育app eyewitness evidence and recorded data showed that the glider climbed steeply to about 100 ft before stalling and entering an incipient spin to the left. 皇冠体育app glider struck the ground nose-first and the pilot suffered serious injuries, in part due to the lack of energy absorbing structure ahead of the pilot鈥檚 seat. 皇冠体育app pilot had no recollection of the accident flight.

No mechanical fault or defect was found that would explain the aircraft pitching up excessively after takeoff. 皇冠体育app steep climb was most likely the result of an excessive aft stick input that was not corrected. While the investigation could not positively identify the cause of the aft stick input, it is likely that distraction, pilot workload or stress were factors in the accident. Additional contributory factors were the aircraft鈥檚 characteristics of low stick forces with low sensory feedback, and poor stall warning indications.

As a result of the investigation findings the BGA has published and sent a 鈥楽afety Briefing鈥� to Silent 2 Electro owners in the UK which provides guidance on operating the motor gilder. This has also been provided to the European Gliding Union for onward dissemination to other European gliding associations.

皇冠体育app aircraft had been fitted with a Ballistic Parachute Recovery System (BPRS) which can present a hazard to first responders. As a result the CAA has updated its online G-INFO aircraft register to identify aircraft fitted with such a device.

Read the report.

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Published 7 April 2022