What happened
On 4 August 2020, a Jodel DR105 and registration G-BHTC was conducting a training flight to renew the pilot's licence. The flight involved a journey from Compton Abbas to Saltford (Avon Lane) Airfield in Somerset. During the approach to Runway 27, the instructor, acting as pilot in command, observed an upslope at the eastern end of the grass runway and anticipated potential low-level turbulence.
As the aircraft descended on final approach, the pilot intended to touch down just before the crest of the slope to assist with deceleration. However, at approximately two metres above the ground, the aircraft experienced a 30-degree roll to the right. Despite immediate corrective inputs, the aircraft struck the ground and bounced. The right main wheel drifted over the edge of a rubble bank, leading to a total loss of directional control. The aircraft subsequently struck a large bush, which severed the outer cranked portion of the right wing. The impact also caused damage to the left wing spar, the propeller, and the fuselage. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the wreckage without any injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the airfield layout using satellite imagery and open-source data. The investigation confirmed that the runway features a significant 7% gradient, rising 14 metres over a 200-metre distance. The investigation also noted the narrowness of the runway and the presence of the rubble bank and nearby vegetation. The findings supported the assessment that the airfield terrain presents a challenging approach requiring high levels of concentration.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered turbulence during the circuit.
- Airflow rollover from the level portion of the runway caused increased lift on the left wing, inducing the right-hand roll.
- The roll caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline.
- The proximity of the hedge and the runway edge prevented the pilot from recovering control after the initial roll.