What happened
On the afternoon of 4 January 2003, a Piper Cub J3, registration EI-CCH, was performing circuit training at a private grass landing strip located at Adamstown Lodge, Trim, Co. Meath. The flight was a private operation involving a pilot and one passenger. The landing strip, which consisted of a 400-meter grass runway, was situated within a ploughed field, and the approach to Runway 28 was notably uneven due to heavy furrowing.
During the fourth and final circuit of the session, the aircraft approached the threshold of Runway 28. As the wheels made contact with the ground, the aircraft struck a frozen piece of sod that had likely been displaced during recent ploughing. The impact caused the aircraft to come to an abrupt halt, resulting in the undercarriage being severed from the fuselage and the propeller striking the ground. The impact left the aircraft resting with its tail elevated. Despite the serious damage to the airframe, there was no fire, and both the pilot and passenger escaped without injury, though the pilot sustained slight injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the conditions of the landing strip and the visibility at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the site and noted that the approach to the runway threshold was heavily furrowed due to the nature of the ploughed field. The pilot indicated that the low angle of the winter sun had created significant glare, which hindered the ability to see the terrain clearly.
Additionally, the investigation identified a lack of emergency resources at the site. It was determined that no appropriate aircraft firefighting equipment was available at or near the hangar adjacent to the field. The nearest professional fire services were located in Trim, where the operators are stationed on a retained basis.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft striking an unseen frozen sod during touchdown.
- High levels of glare from the low-setting winter sun contributed to the pilot's inability to identify the hazard on the runway.
- The landing strip was situated in a ploughed field, which created an uneven and hazardous surface due to heavy furrowing and displaced earth.