Accident Overview
On 13 April 2016 at 1225 UTC, a Czech Aircraft Works SportCruiser, registration G-OCRZ, sustained damage during a landing accident at Firs Farm, Newbury, Berkshire. The aircraft was a single-engine, high-wing monoplane with a Rotax 912 ULS piston engine, manufactured in 2008. The private flight was operated by a 76-year-old pilot holding a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence, with 518 total flying hours (102 on type). The pilot was the sole occupant and reported no injuries.
History of the Flight
The pilot returned to land at his home airstrip after a short midday flight. He was very familiar with the airstrip, having used it for six years. The weather was good with a light south-westerly breeze. He joined the circuit intending to land on grass Runway 23. On final approach, he lined up on a yellowish strip of land that he believed was the runway and made what he described as a "perfect" touchdown. However, he had mistaken a rough, uncultivated strip adjacent to the south side of the runway for Runway 23.
Upon touchdown, the nose landing gear immediately collapsed and detached, causing the propeller to strike the ground. As the aircraft slowed, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft came to rest nose-down and with the left wing on the ground. The pilot turned off the master switch and exited the aircraft without difficulty.
Damage
The accident resulted in the nose leg detaching, damage to the left main landing gear, and destruction of the propeller.
Pilot’s Comments
The pilot expressed amazement that he had misidentified the runway in good visibility without any distractions. He noted that the actual runway was a similar colour to the adjacent green crop on the north side, while the rough strip was a contrasting yellowish colour and shaped like a runway. Despite knowing of the strip’s existence, he accepted it as the runway at first sight. During the circuit and approach, he concentrated on making a smooth landing and did not question the strip. He did not see the real runway to his right because he was not expecting it there—an error he later attributed to confirmation bias.
Safety Action
Following the accident, white markers were installed to make the runway outline more visible to approaching aircraft.
Similar Incidents
The AAIB report noted two similar accidents: on 18 June 2015, an Auster J5F (G-AMZT) landed on a yellowish crop adjacent to the runway at Bolt Head Airfield, Devon; and on 1 July 2015, a Europa (G-TAGR) did likewise at the same airfield. The G-TAGR report included a photograph showing how the cultivated strip created a stronger visual impression of a landing surface than the runway itself.