What happened
On 4 October 2015, a Mooney M20K 231, registration G-BYEE, was conducting a private flight from Wellesbourne Airfield to Caernarfon Airport. While approaching Runway 07, the pilot encountered favorable weather conditions with a light wind from 180 degrees at 6 knots. During the final approach, the pilot performed a flare that was too high, resulting in an initial bounce upon touchdown. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot applied additional power, but a second bounce occurred.
Following the second bounce, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline. The pilot noted that the left wheel made contact with the grass, causing the aircraft to veer further from the paved surface. As the aircraft moved across the grass, the pilot's attention was drawn to a vehicle parked on a disused taxiway. During this period, the left wing struck a fence post located 46 meters from the runway centerline. The impact caused the aircraft to swerve sharply to the left. The pilot, cautious about braking on an unknown surface, allowed the aircraft to continue its roll across a disused intersecting runway before regaining control and steering back toward the main runway. After taxiing to the parking area and shutting down the engine, the pilot discovered severe damage to the left wing and minor damage to a propeller blade.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the flight sequence and the physical evidence at the scene. The investigation focused on the pilot's maneuvers during the landing phase and the environmental factors contributing to the deviation from the runway. The investigators reviewed the aircraft's flight path, the impact with the fence post, and the subsequent taxiing to the parking area.