What happened
On 5 April 2014, a Cessna A185E, registration SE-FMX, was performing a private landing on the tarmac runway at Bentwaters Airfield, Suffolk. The weather conditions involved a wind from 180° at 15 knots. To assist with directional control on the ground, the pilot had locked the tail wheel in the trailing position and executed a wing-down approach into the crosswind.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a minor bounce before settling on its wheels. Immediately following this, the aircraft underwent a violent lateral slew. The right tyre dug into the runway surface, leading to the right wing making contact with the ground. This impact caused the aircraft to tip forward onto its nose while still moving at roughly 50 mph, eventually coming to rest in an inverted position. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the pilot's handling of the crosswind. The pilot noted that the magnitude of the gusting crosswind had been underestimated and that the aircraft's large vertical stabilizer made it particularly sensitive to such conditions. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failures or pre-existing defects that contributed to the loss of control. The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a shock-loaded engine, and damage to the propeller, wings, and fin.
Findings
- The pilot failed to prevent the aircraft from yawing into the wind due to the severity of the gusting crosswind.
- The aircraft's large fin increased its susceptibility to crosswind effects.
- The sudden digging in of the right tyre during the lateral slew triggered the wing strike and subsequent nose-over.