What happened
On 28 September 2014, an Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat, registration G-FOXB, was conducting a private flight at Slieve Croob Airfield in County Down. While on final approach to the grass runway 18, the aircraft encountered intense windshear. In response to the atmospheric disturbance, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure by applying power. However, during this maneuver, the right wingtip and the leading edge of the right wing struck the top of a tree. Following the contact, the aircraft continued its flight path and completed a circuit before landing safely at the airfield. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions at Slieve Croob Airfield, which is situated near the 1,752 ft summit of Slieve Croob. It was noted that the airfield is a narrow grass strip that can be subject to mountain-induced rotor effects when winds blow from specific directions. The investigation reviewed the pilot's actions during the encounter with the windshear and the subsequent impact with the vegetation. The damage to the aircraft was localized to the right wingtip and the leading edge of the wing.