On September 16, 2022, at Wellesbourne-Mountford airfield in the United Kingdom, Avro Vulcan XM655 experienced a runway excursion while doing a trial run for the public event scheduled for Sunday, September 18
On September 16, 2022, at Wellesbourne-Mountford airfield in the United Kingdom, during the trial run for the public event that was scheduled for Sunday, September 18, Vulcan XM655 (maintained by the XM655 Maintenance and Preservation Society, 655MaPS, a non-profit organization of Vulcan enthusiasts) suffered a runway excursion, according to the Avro Vulcan XM655 Facebook page.
The event has been canceled due to the mishap. The nonprofit group gave an explanation of the events;
‘After satisfactorily completing low-speed steering and braking tests on runway 05/23, the aircraft was taken onto runway 18/36 for a trial high-speed run. Due to a malfunction of a piece of equipment in the cockpit, the aircraft remained at full power for approximately two seconds longer than intended. This resulted in excessive speed and less distance in which to stop, and the aircraft passed beyond the end of the runway onto the agricultural area, stopping just before the airfield perimeter. The failed equipment was an airspeed indicator that had been tested and found satisfactory six days ago and started working normally before the end of the run. The aircraft brakes worked properly but were unable to bring things to a halt within the reduced space available.’
An explanation of 655MaPS in a different Facebook post;
‘It was all going to plan on Friday and the aircraft was towed to the inactive runway for crew training. The start went well and our only hiccup was the loss of power during the early checks. We think this was probably due to the ground power connector not being fully engaged in the ground power socket so a quick reseat resolved the issue and normal service resumed. The crew then went on to a series of turns and figure-eight maneuvers within the confines of the inactive area before making their decision to carry out their practice fast taxi as part of their return journey to the pan.
‘Unfortunately, the ASI normally used to ascertain the aircraft speed is the one fitted in the P2 position, so with P1 in the driving seat, the P2 would call the speed. The ASI appears to have stuck, hence is no feedback to P1. There isn’t much time to work things out once the Vulcan is rolling and by the time the P1 realized he wasn’t getting any info the closedown of the throttles was a few seconds late. It doesn’t sound much but it was enough that the aircraft was carrying too much speed at the normal turn-off point. She departed the runway and came to rest next to the hedge at the airfield perimeter and just before Stratford Road. It looks as if the soil conditions were perfect for slowing her down and although she plowed 3 furrows across the field she was brought to rest with no injuries to the crew or anyone else and they all departed the aircraft with no external assistance.
‘It took a lot of digging and a lot of pulling on Saturday but early in the evening, she was safely returned to the pan where we will begin a series of inspections to establish the condition of everything. Initial visual inspections look good but we will need to carry out a lot more checks before we can be certain.’
Avro Vulcan XM655, delivered in late 1964, was the third-to-last Vulcan bomber built for the Royal Air Force. It was a part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent force in the 1960s and 1970s, according to the 655MaPS website. It is owned by Wellesbourne Airfield.
Being the sole Vulcan with the most powerful engine variant—a Bristol Olympus 301—XM655 is one of the few that are still in ground-running condition, and 655MaPS wants to preserve it for as long as possible. Engine ground runs are conducted several times a year, and most summers are spent hosting “Fast Taxi” events to showcase the aircraft and raise funds for its preservation. The aircraft systems are powered up and exercised on a regular basis, and parties of visitors can arrange to see them in action.
Photo by Unknown
