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| Date: | Monday 26 February 2024 |
| Time: | 14:00 UTC |
| Type: |  Rans S-6ES Coyote II |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | G-BZKO |
| MSN: | PFA 204-13564 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2000 |
| Engine model: | Rotax 912 UL |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Newtownards Airport (EGAD) -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Newtownards Airport (EGAD) |
| Newtownards Airport (EGAD) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The aircraft had recently undergone an annual check, and the flight was a general skills test to revalidate the owner’s licence. The flight was uneventful until the windscreen and skylight shattered without warning shortly after the aircraft recovered from an intentional spiral dive. This startled both pilots, and the in-rush of air blew their headsets off, preventing them from communicating verbally. The examiner checked that the aircraft was controllable and indicated his intention to return to the airfield, which was approximately 10 miles away. The aircraft owner managed to recover the examiner’s headset from the baggage compartment, and he made radio calls to the airfield every 30 to 60 seconds. He used his jacket to shield the microphone against the effect of the wind and, as they got closer to the airfield, they could see the emergency services were prepared for their arrival. The landing was successful, and both occupants were helped from the aircraft having sustained minor injuries. No third parties were reported to have been injured.
Conclusion
The windscreen and skylight shattered during the flight for an unknown reason. The pilots were startled but were successful in alerting the airfield before completing a successful landing. This accident is a reminder of the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and concentrating on maintaining control of the aircraft.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
AAIB
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/pilots-made-emergency-landing-at-ni-airport-after-significant-part-of-plane-detached-mid-flight/a892557689.html
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 23 March 2017 | G-BZKO | Private | 0 | Newtownards Airfield, Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland | |
min |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Dec-2024 19:15 | ASN | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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