What happened
On 17 June 2017, an Extra EA 300/LC, registration G-GOFF, was involved in an accident during a private flight at Foxborough Farm Airstrip in Norfolk. The pilot had departed from the 580 m grass runway, which is oriented at 290°/110°, estimating a westerly wind of 7 kt. Before returning to the airstrip, the pilot contacted Norwich ATC to request the current surface wind. The controller reported a wind of 140° at 7 kt.
Unaware of the local wind conditions and having not checked the airstrip's windsock, the pilot opted to land on Runway 11. During the landing roll, the pilot noted that the aircraft floated for a longer duration than usual. Upon applying the brakes, the aircraft skipped approximately 15 ft. Believing a go-around was no longer a safe option, the pilot pitched the aircraft onto its nose to increase deceleration. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft exiting the runway and coming to rest in a low boundary hedge at the end of the strip. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained impact damage to the propeller, spinner, wheel spats, and the outboard section of the right wing.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight sequence, the wind information available to the pilot, and the pilot's decision-making during the landing phase. The investigation established that the pilot relied on wind data from Norwich Airport, which was located 13 nm ESE of the airstrip, rather than verifying the local wind direction via the airstrip's windsock.
Findings
- The pilot performed a landing on Runway 11 while facing a downwind component.
- The pilot failed to observe the local windsock at Foxborough Farm Airstrip.
- The pilot relied on wind information from a distant airport which did not accurately reflect the local conditions at the airstrip.
- The decision to pitch the aircraft onto its nose was made to assist in slowing the aircraft after it had skipped during the landing roll.