What happened
On 6 December 2022, a Cessna T303 Crusader, registration G-PUSI, was performing a private flight from Bagby Airfield in the UK to Navan Airfield in Co. Meath, Ireland. During the landing phase on Runway 09, the pilot attempted a short-field landing technique, intending to touch down long and to the left of the runway centerline due to reported soft ground conditions.
As the aircraft entered the flare, it encountered a crosswind. This caused the left wing to lift and the right wing to drop, leading to the right wingtip striking the ground. The aircraft subsequently touched down on the soft grass area situated between Runway 09 and Runway 07. The main wheels dug into the soft surface, and the aircraft came to a stop near the boundary markings of Runway 07. The pilot and two passengers exited the aircraft without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to its right wing structure.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the flight path, the airfield layout, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation established that the pilot was executing a series of low-level, low-speed maneuvers to align the aircraft with a specific touchdown point. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's perception of the airfield markings, specifically the white cones used to delineate Runway 07.
Investigators analyzed the impact marks on the ground, which confirmed that the right wing made contact first, followed by the right main wheel and then the left main wheel. The investigation also reviewed the wind conditions, noting that while gusts were present, they were within the aircraft's demonstrated capabilities.
Findings
- The pilot was focused on positioning the aircraft to the left of the centerline, which led to a series of maneuvers at low altitude and low airspeed.
- The pilot misidentified the white cones marking the edge of Runway 07 as a boundary between the two runways, leading him to target a touchdown area on the grass between the runways.
- A crosswind caused the left wing to lift and the right wing to drop during the flare, a correction that was difficult to execute due to the low altitude and reduced control effectiveness at low speeds.
- The aircraft touched down on soft, unpaved ground, causing the landing gear to dig into the surface.