History of the Flight
On 24 November 2018, a Cessna U206C Super Skywagon (registration G-BPGE) was operating a private skydive flight from Strathallan Aerodrome, Auchterarder, Tayside. The pilot, the sole crew member, was transporting four skydivers. The intended skydive was cancelled due to cloud cover, and the pilot returned to land on Runway 10 with the skydivers still onboard. The grass runway was 620 m long, with fences at both ends and a road passing near the Runway 10 threshold. Wind conditions were calm.
The pilot reported that, upon reflection, his approach to Runway 10 was too high and too fast. The aircraft touched down just over halfway down the runway, resulting in a hard landing that caused the aircraft to bounce. The pilot initiated a go-around, but the aircraft struck a frangible wooden fence at the end of the runway. The impact caused damage to the cowling, propeller, and horizontal stabiliser. Despite the damage, the aircraft climbed away, and the pilot successfully landed on the second attempt.
Pilot Comments
The pilot noted that he had developed a habit of consistently approaching high to Runway 10 due to frequent pedestrian activity on the road near the threshold. He believed this habit likely led to consistently landing further down the runway than intended. On this occasion, the aircraft was heavier than normal with four skydivers onboard, and with calm wind conditions, the touchdown point was probably farther along the runway than usual. The pilot stated he did not realise how far down the runway he had touched down until examining the ground marks afterward. In hindsight, he considered that he should have initiated a go-around sooner.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the cowling, propeller, and horizontal stabiliser. No injuries were reported among the pilot or passengers.