What happened
On 8 September 2018, a Beech 58 Baron, registration G-BYDY, was performing a private flight to Haydock Park Airfield. Prior to arrival, the pilot had consulted with the airfield's Clerk of the Course regarding the runway surface, receiving assurances that while the grass was wet, it remained firm enough for operations. Upon arrival, the pilot observed raining conditions but proceeded to land on the westerly runway.
After touching down at the threshold, the pilot applied brakes; however, the wet grass significantly reduced braking effectiveness. As the aircraft reached the final third of the runway, the pilot determined that a go-around was no longer feasible and that the aircraft would likely overshoot the end of the runway. To prevent an overrun, the pilot executed a deliberate ground-loop manoeuvre, intended to swing the aircraft to the left using differential engine power and rudder.
During this manoeuvre, the left flap and the rear section of the fuselage struck the right wing of a parked Piper PA-32 Saratoga. The impact caused extensive damage to the stationary aircraft, while the G-BYDY sustained minor damage to its fuselage and flap. There were no injuries to the pilot or the four passengers on board, and the parked aircraft was unoccupied.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the sequence of events leading to the collision. The examination of the Beech 58 Baron revealed damage to the aft fuselage skin, several frames, and the outer edge of the left flap. The parked Piper PA-32 Saratoga suffered significant airframe distortion and damage to its aileron and right wingtip.
The investigation established that the pilot had been aware of the marginal runway length relative to the wet conditions. While the pilot successfully executed the intended steering technique, the initial turn was too wide, bringing the aircraft into contact with the parked aircraft. The investigation also noted that the parked aircraft and a nearby helicopter were positioned in an area where an overrun could potentially lead to a collision.
Findings
- The pilot attempted an unconventional manoeuvre to halt the aircraft after realizing braking performance was insufficient due to the wet grass.
- The primary cause was the pilot's wide turn during the intentional ground-loop, which led to the collision with the parked aircraft.
- The pilot had previously confirmed the runway was firm, but the wet surface prevented the aircraft from stopping within the remaining runway length.