Pilot hit his head as he battled turbulence in damaged plane

A MAN piloting a light aircraft bound for Swansea Airport hit his head on the cockpit ceiling as he battled severe turbulence, a report said.

Investigators said the pilot, who had taken off from an airfield in Swanwick, in Derbyshire, was able to regain the Savannah VG Jabiru aircraft’s route but was eventually forced to turn back after weather deteriorated.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report put the incident down to damage to one of the plane’s lift strut attachments – a rigid bar which connects the aircraft’s wing to the fuselage. The report said the incident happened around 90 minutes into the flight.

It added: “As he approached Abergavenny the cloud cover increased significantly but he was able to maintain 2,000 feet. Shortly thereafter he encountered turbulence and reported: ‘I was lifted out of my seat, hitting my head on the cabin roof.’

“He slowed, turned to the south and was eventually able to regain his track after the turbulence reduced.

“With the weather continuing to deteriorate, he curtailed the flight and landed at his home airfield. Two days later, when he moved the aircraft out of the hangar, he observed that the right rear lift strut attachment bracket was bent forwards. It was apparent that the uppermost attachment bolt had contacted the lower surface of the wing, leaving a clear indentation.”

The report said subsequent investigations revealed damage on the rib adjacent to the lift strut attachment, adding: “Two visible cracks in the rib were surrounded by dirt and debris that had accumulated in localised areas of distortion. The evidence indicated that the damage was not recent.”

It added: “The evidence indicated that the damage had existed for some time and was most likely caused by adverse loading on the ground. The cause was not established.”