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Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire. -
United Kingdom
Phase:
Take off
Nature:
Private
Departure airport:
Duxford, Cambridgeshire (EGSU)
Destination airport:
Jersey Airport, Jersey, Channel Islands (JER/EGJJ)
Investigating agency:
AAIB
Confidence Rating:
Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative: The aircraft was the lead of a pair of ex-military jet aircraft which were carrying out a stream takeoff. After it rotated, G-TBRD adopted a steep nose-up attitude; it remained airborne for approximately 200 metres before stalling and crashing.
The technique used by the pilot during the takeoff produced an excessive nose-up pitch attitude of about 15 degrees shortly after rotation. This differed from the advice given in the T-33 Operating Instructions and Training manuals held by the operator,in which the nose wheel should be lifted just off the ground during the latter stages of the takeoff roll, and that attitude maintained as the aircraft becomes airborne. Following lift off, a typical pitch attitude during the initial climb is 5-6 degrees nose up.
As a result of the excessive rotation, the aircraft did not accelerate as normal and subsequently descended, sufficient for the tail pipe to make brief contact with the surface. As the ground beyond the runway dropped away, the aircraft maintained level flight before stalling and dropping its left wing, then striking the ground. During the ensuing impact the aircraft cartwheeled, broke into three main pieces and caught fire.
Former ARC engineer Kevin "George" Francis was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal in the New Years Honours List (January 1st 2009) for his bravery in rescuing the pilot of Canadair Silver Star T-33AN 21261/G-TBRD in September 2006 when he was an engineer passenger (flying spanner) in it, as it crashed on departure from Duxford en-route to the Jersey Air Display. (see links #5 and #6)
Following the accident, the operator decided to use only pilots with a military background to operate their remaining F-86 Sabre, and an experienced Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) in the Royal Air Force, who was current on jet aircraft, was appointed as the operator’s QFI. The operator also instigated a stricter regime of supervision for pilots who had been engaged on other flying duties prior to operating the F86.
Registration G-TBRD cancelled by the UK Civil Aviation Authority 9/1/2007 as "Permanently withdrawn from use"