What happened
On 11 August 2020, a Jodel DR250/160, registration G-BUVM, was conducting a private flight at Crosland Moor Airfield in West Yorkshire. The pilot was flying with a co-owner to regain proficiency following a period of limited flying activity caused by public health restrictions.
During the approach to Runway 25, the pilot encountered a 5 kt tailwind and an upslope gradient. As the aircraft descended to approximately 50 ft, it encountered buffeting and windshear, which the pilot attributed to the nearby quarry. While the pilot attempted a normal flare, the turbulence caused the aircraft to slew to the left. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot applied right rudder, but this resulted in oscillations that required full rudder deflection and the application of brakes. Consequently, the aircraft drifted off the right side of the runway onto the grass.
The aircraft's right wing struck a metal gate post near a raised embankment at the airfield perimeter, causing the aircraft to come to rest in an inverted position. The impact resulted in serious injuries to the passenger, while the pilot also sustained injuries. Both occupants managed to exit the aircraft through the broken left cockpit window.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions, the aircraft's flight path, and the pilot's recent flying experience. Investigators noted that the pilot had logged only 3 hours of flight time in the preceding 90 days and 2 hours in the preceding 28 days. The investigation also reviewed the local topography and the impact of the nearby quarry on wind conditions during approach.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered turbulence and windshear during the final stages of the landing.
- The pilot's recent lack of flying currency contributed to the difficulty in managing the aircraft's response to the turbulent air.
- The combination of a tailwind, upslope runway, and local topographical effects from the adjacent quarry created challenging approach conditions.