Accident
On 2 September 2014 at 1203 UTC, a Robin DR400/180 Regent, registration G-ETIV, sustained damage during a landing at Spilstead Farm Airstrip, East Sussex. The aircraft was operated by a private pilot on a private flight. The sole occupant, the pilot, was uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, manufactured in 2000 (serial number 2454), was powered by a single Lycoming O-360-A3A piston engine. The pilot, aged 73, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 698 total flying hours, all on type, with 29 hours in the last 90 days and 7 hours in the last 28 days.
Location and Conditions
Spilstead Farm Airstrip is a private grass airfield with a single runway approximately 700 m long, oriented 15/33. Due to the runway slope, arrivals are typically from the south. The pilot had landed at the strip once before without incident and noted that the northern end of the runway was undulating. On this flight, he intended to touch down near the southern threshold.
Sequence of Events
The weather was good. The pilot selected an aiming point and speed to achieve a touchdown near the southern end. However, he misidentified the threshold. The aircraft touched down approximately 25 m short of the runway. The landing area consisted of soft ground, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest, sustaining damage to the nose landing gear, propeller, and cowling, as well as minor damage to the left flap. The pilot shut down the engine and vacated the aircraft.
Investigation Findings
Spilstead Farm Airstrip is a private farmstrip with no requirement to mark the runway. The pilot reported that on arrival, it was apparent that the surrounding crop had been cut for hay. This led to him mistaking a line in the cut hay for the start of the runway.
Damage
The aircraft sustained collapse of the nose landing gear, damage to the propeller and cowling, and minor damage to the left flap.