History of the Flight
On 20 August 2021 at approximately 1332 UTC, a Cessna 182B (registration G-OMAG) and a Boeing Stearman A75N1(PT17) (registration N68427) collided on the runway at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon. Both flights were private. The Cessna had departed from Bodmin Aerodrome at 1300 UTC, en route to Dunkeswell to deliver the aircraft after an annual inspection. The pilot had obtained prior permission from the aerodrome operator. The Stearman took off from Dunkeswell at 1305 UTC for a local flight and maintained a listening watch with Dunkeswell Radio.
Weather conditions were reported by witnesses as 'workable', with overcast cloud at 1,200 ft above the aerodrome, patches of lower cloud at 600 to 800 ft, visibility approximately 5 km, and light wind from the south-west.
Events Leading to the Collision
At around 1326 UTC, the Cessna was north abeam Exeter and the pilot established communications with Dunkeswell Radio, requesting airfield details. A radio operator informed him that Runway 22 was in use with a QFE of 986 hPa. At approximately the same time, the Stearman re-joined the circuit from the east and positioned on a left base for Runway 22. The pilot reported making a radio call indicating his intention to join the circuit but could not recall receiving an answer. None of the aerodrome operator's staff could remember with certainty hearing or responding to this call.
At 1329 UTC, the Stearman completed a touch-and-go landing and continued into the left-hand visual circuit, achieving a downwind height of 750 ft. The Cessna was approximately one nautical mile to the west, and the pilot made a track change to the left onto a northerly heading to arc around the aerodrome, positioning to join the circuit from the dead side onto a right base for Runway 22.
The Cessna pilot reported continuing toward final approach at approximately 600 ft aal and, when established on final, transmitted 'golf alpha golf final 22'. He heard no radio calls after his initial contact with Dunkeswell Radio and believed he was joining an empty circuit. Following a normal powered approach at approximately 70 mph, the Cessna landed just beyond the displaced threshold, intending to turn off at the runway intersection. After retracting flaps and allowing groundspeed to decay, with around 100 m to go to the intersection, the pilot reported hearing and feeling what seemed like an 'explosion' and then became aware of propeller blades rotating in front of his face. The cockpit filled with debris from the shattered windshield, shards of metal, and splintered wood.
Meanwhile, the Stearman pilot was not aware that the Cessna had joined the circuit and had heard no radio transmissions. He made a radio call as he started the base leg and again when established on final. He then heard a final call from another aircraft and, assuming it was behind him, made an information call: 'November 27 final, close to threshold'. There was no response. CCTV footage showed that the Cessna had passed ahead of and below the Stearman before the Stearman had completed the base turn. Various witnesses reported seeing both aircraft on final approach in very close proximity, 'as though they were in formation'.
The Stearman pilot reported that the landing 'didn't feel right' and the aircraft was not responding to control inputs. He applied power to correct a perceived left drift, then reduced power to idle. The aircraft continued to swing left, off the runway onto the grass. The pilot believed the left landing gear had failed. Once the aircraft stopped, he looked down and saw his aircraft straddled on top of the Cessna.
Post-Collision Actions
The pilot of the Cessna shut down the aircraft and attempted to exit but could not open the door. The pilot of the Stearman had already exited and assisted by forcing open the door. A member of the aerodrome operator's staff who had seen the proximity of the aircraft during the final approach activated the crash alarm. The aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Service fire tender arrived quickly and gave first aid to the Cessna pilot, who had sustained significant injuries to his torso, limbs, and head. They also applied foam and water due to fuel leaking from the left wing tank of the Cessna. Emergency services subsequently arrived, and the Cessna pilot was taken to hospital.
Aerodrome Information
Dunkeswell Aerodrome is located on the Blackdown Hills in Devon, 14 nm north-east of Exeter, at an elevation of 839 ft amsl. It is owned and operated by a private company. The aerodrome is licensed by the CAA for operations for public transport or flying training in accordance with the Air Navigation Order; at other times it operates as an unlicensed aerodrome. For inbound flights not normally based at Dunkeswell, prior permission is required. The aerodrome's website provides joining instructions: both fixed wing and helicopters to join either on downwind or base leg for the runway in use, circuit height 800 ft, and Runway 22 left hand circuits. The Air Information Publication (AIP) for Dunkeswell states no overhead joins due to parachuting, no straight-in approaches, and no orbits in the circuit or on final approach. The Cessna pilot had visited Dunkeswell approximately 30 times since 2012 and was aware of the local procedures. Following the accident, the CAA published a Supplementary Amendment to CAP 452 to improve situational awareness of pilots operating at aerodromes providing an Air to Ground Communication Service.