What happened
On 19 June 2014, a private flight departed from Beverley Airfield in East Yorkshire. The pilot, operating a Reims Cessna FRA15 0M Aerobat, registration G-BDRD, planned a route passing through Hull and Spurn Point before returning to the departure airfield. While the initial flight conditions were favorable, the pilot encountered a rapidly descending cloud base after turning north from Spurn Point.
This change in weather resulted in an inadvertent encounter with Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). After attempting a 180-degree turn to regain visual flight rules (VFR) conditions without success, the pilot declined an offer to divert to Humberside Airport, believing the cloud base was too low to safely cross the Humber estuary. Consequently, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing in a field of crops located approximately 10 nm north-east of Humberside Airport. During the touchdown, the nose landing gear struck the ground and collapsed, causing the aircraft to pitch forward.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight history, meteorological data, and the aircraft's condition following the impact. The AAIB reviewed weather forecasts obtained prior to departure, which had indicated a possibility of reduced visibility due to drizzle. Investigators also analyzed the sequence of events leading to the decision to land in a field and the mechanical failure of the landing gear during the landing roll.
Findings
- The pilot encountered rapidly lowering cloud bases while flying north from Spurn Point.
- The aircraft entered IMC unintentionally.
- The pilot determined that transiting the Humber estuary was unsafe due to the low cloud base.
- The nose landing gear collapsed upon contact with the ground, leading to damage to the engine frame, propeller, underside of the fuselage, and the nose gear itself.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.