What happened
On 1 October 2020, a Cessna 150K, registration G-BJOV, was conducting a private flight from Headcorn Aerodrome to Tiffenden Airfield. During the approach to Runway 07, the handling pilot utilized full flaps to manage a high approach. Due to a 5 kt tailwind and the steep descent, the aircraft made a heavy touchdown further down the runway than intended, causing the aircraft to bounce.
With limited runway remaining, the pilot in command initiated a go-around. However, the aircraft struggled to gain sufficient altitude to clear the rising ground and trees located beyond the airfield boundary. During the climb, the aircraft's nose was raised to clear successive treelines, triggering the stall warning on two occasions. After the landing gear struck several branches, the pilot determined that a continued climb was impossible and performed an emergency landing in a nearby field. Upon impact, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide to a halt. There were no injuries to the two crew members on board.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the sequence of events, noting that the pilot had chosen to land on Runway 07 to utilize the uphill slope, despite the tailwind. The investigation looked into the aircraft's performance during the go-around, specifically how the combination of the tailwind, the heavy bounce, and the need to clear obstacles impacted the climb gradient. The investigators also reviewed the airfield's known hazards, specifically the rising ground and trees that complicate easterly departures/go-arounds at this location.
Findings
- The heavy landing and subsequent bounce were likely caused by a combination of a steep approach and a tailwind.
- The go-around was made difficult by the aircraft's low energy state following the bounce and the increased groundspeed from the tailwind.
- The necessity to raise the nose to clear trees caused the aircraft to approach a stall, significantly increasing drag and reducing the margin for climb.
- The pilot noted that a proactive go-around prior to the initial touchdown would have likely prevented the accident.