AAIB Report: Pilot's 'Negative Habit Transfer' Led to Ikarus C42 Runway Excursion
The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released its report on an incident involving an Ikarus C42 at Popham Airfield. During the takeoff roll on 25 April 2023, the aircraft yawed, veered off the runway, and collided with a hedge, collapsing the nose gear. Neither the pilot nor the instructor on board was injured. The investigation concluded the pilot inadvertently applied incorrect rudder input due to 'negative habit transfer' from extensive experience on a different aircraft type that required opposite control inputs. The instructor's intervention was not timely enough to prevent the aircraft from leaving the runway.
Official Source: https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-ikarus-c42-fb100-bravo-g-mood