What happened
The incident occurred while a commercial pilot was attempting to land his homebuilt biplane on a private airstrip. According to the pilot's account, he was executing the final approach for landing when he encountered significant visual impairment due to the position of the sun. The setting sun blinded him, preventing him from accurately judging his altitude and distance relative to obstacles.
As a result of this visual obstruction, the aircraft failed to clear a tree located near the runway environment. The right wing of the homebuilt biplane struck the tree, which caused the aircraft to yaw sharply to the right. This impact led directly to a crash landing on the ground.
Findings
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the approach and the subsequent impact. Key findings included:
- The pilot was blinded by the setting sun during the final phase of the landing maneuver.
- The aircraft's right wing struck a tree, causing loss of directional control and a crash.
- The pilot sustained a damaged vertebra that required surgical intervention.
Safety message
This accident highlights the critical danger of attempting visual landings when the sun is low on the horizon. Pilots must be aware of their position relative to the sun and ensure adequate visibility before committing to a final approach, particularly on private strips where obstacle clearance may be limited.