Aircraft and Flight
A Jodel DR1051-M1, registration G-BHTC, was involved in an accident on 4 August 2020 at Avon Lane Airfield in Saltford, Somerset. The aircraft was manufactured in 1964 and powered by a single Continental Motors Corp O-200-A piston engine. The flight was a private trip from Compton Abbas to Avon Lane for license renewal exercises. The pilot-in-command, a 57-year-old holder of a Private Pilot's Licence with 1,604 total flying hours (1,057 on type), took control near Chippenham.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft approached Runway 27, which had an upslope at its eastern end. The pilot anticipated low-level turbulence due to the terrain. During final approach, at approximately 2 m above ground level, the aircraft rolled 30° to the right. Despite immediate control inputs, the aircraft contacted the ground and bounced about 1 m upward. The right main wheel then rolled over the left edge of a rubble bank beside the runway. Directional control was lost, and the right wing struck a large bush, breaking off the outer cranked portion. The aircraft swung to the right and came to a stop.
Damage and Injuries
The right wing was severed at the crank position, and the left wing spar was broken. Additionally, the fuselage and propeller were damaged. Neither the pilot nor the sole passenger was injured, and they vacated the aircraft without assistance.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot noted several factors: the narrow runway with a demanding approach, tolerable turbulence in the circuit, and a curlover from the flat portion of the runway that increased lift on the left wing, precipitating the right roll. The roll carried the aircraft off the centerline to the bank, and the proximity of the hedge prevented recovery. The pilot had been briefed by the airfield owner on the upslope and considered the field safe for his Jodel, though requiring good handling skills.
AAIB Observations
Satellite imagery and open-source data revealed that the upslope rises approximately 14 m over 200 m (a 7% gradient). The bank and narrow runway were also evident, supporting the pilot's assessment of a difficult approach.