What happened
On 8 July 2017, an Ikarus C42 FB80, registration G-CEAK, was conducting a private flight from Manchester Barton Airfield to Ince Airfield in Merseyside. As the pilot prepared for an approach to Runway 29, they observed an active irrigation sprinkler operating in a field adjacent to the northern approach path. Although the pilot initially believed the sprinkler posed no threat, the aircraft's windscreen was suddenly obscured by a spray of water while on short final.
This sudden loss of forward visibility caused the aircraft to descend prematurely, landing short of the runway. During the landing roll, the left main wheel became entangled in a crop of potatoes, causing the left wing support strut to detach. The aircraft then crossed a ditch, resulting in the detachment of the left landing gear leg, before finally coming to a halt on the runway surface. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances of the approach and the state of the airfield environment. The investigation established that the aircraft was flying over an open arable field containing growing crops. The airfield operator noted that while the sprinkler system had not been utilized near the airfield previously, it was not considered a hazard unless an aircraft was performing a low-altitude approach.
Findings
- The sudden application of water to the windscreen during short final caused the pilot to lose visual reference.
- The aircraft's descent profile was compromised by the obscured view, leading to an undershoot of the runway.
- The primary cause of the incident was the unexpected spray from the irrigation sprinkler which obscured the pilot's vision.
- Contact with the potato crop led to the structural failure of the left wing strut and landing gear.