What happened
On 3 April 2016, the pilot of a de Havilland DH-82 aeroplane, registered VH-BJE, conducted a 30‑minute scenic flight from Redcliffe Airport, Queensland, with one passenger on board. The weather was fine, with wind was from the east-northeast at less than 8 kt, no precipitation, and the runway was dry.
On returning to Redcliffe, the pilot elected to join the circuit on a mid-field crosswind leg for runway 07. The pilot reported that the approach was normal.
As the aircraft landed, the pilot reported the tail was slightly higher than normal, but the aircraft’s speed was normal. The aircraft wheels touched down at the pilot’s aiming point, about half way along the grass strip to the right of the sealed runway. The pilot reported that the wheels seemed to dig in. The aircraft nose pitched down, the propeller struck the grass runway, and the aircraft rolled over forwards, coming to rest inverted (Figure 1).
The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Figure 1: Accident site showing damage to VH-BJE
Source: Ron Ennis – modified by the ATSB
Pilot comments and experience
At the time of the accident, the pilot had a total of 259.3 hours of aeronautical experience, including 7.9 hours on the aircraft type. The pilot held tailwheel and aerobatic endorsements, obtained in an American Champion/Bellanca Citabria aircraft.
The pilot commented that the ground was a bit soft where the wheels had touched down, but that they had landed there twice previously that day without incident. In future, the pilot would land with a slightly higher nose attitude.
Aviation Short Investigations Bulletin - Issue 50
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