What happened
On 12 June 2021, a CAP 232, registration G-IITC, was conducting a private aerobatic training session at Wombleton Airfield in North Yorkshire. After completing two aerobatic sequences, the pilot commenced a landing on Runway 28 under clear weather conditions. During the flare, the aircraft began drifting toward the right side of the runway. Despite attempts to correct the path, the right wing made contact with dense crops growing at the runway's edge upon touchdown. The impact caused the aircraft to veer off the paved surface and into a field, where it eventually came to a halt. The pilot sustained no injuries, though the aircraft suffered damage to its propeller, landing gear, and an aileron.
The investigation
Investigators examined the runway environment and the pilot's approach technique. It was noted that the runway at Wombleton is relatively narrow, measuring only 15 metres in width, with crops situated very close to the edges. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's cockpit configuration; while the pilot typically utilizes a slipstream technique to enhance forward visibility during the landing phase, this method was not employed during this specific approach. The pilot's assessment indicated that the drift was not identified early enough to allow for a successful correction before the wing struck the vegetation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the late identification of the aircraft's lateral drift relative to the narrow runway.
- The pilot failed to initiate an immediate go-around once the drift became apparent.
- The proximity of dense crops to the runway edge contributed to the wing strike.
- Reduced forward visibility was a factor, as the pilot did not use the slipstream configuration typically used to improve sightlines during landing.