Accident Details
On 16 July 2014 at 0645 UTC, a Socata TB20 Trinidad, registration G-JDEE, sustained damage to its left main landing gear, pilot foot step, and left wing during landing at North Moor Airstrip, Lincolnshire. The private flight had one pilot on board and no passengers. The pilot reported no injuries.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was landing on Runway 27, a 550 m long grass runway. Weather conditions were clear with a 5 kt wind from the southwest, and the grass was damp from overnight dew. The pilot was familiar with the airstrip, having flown in twice before, and was aware of electricity cables on the approach 270 m from the runway threshold. He described the approach as slightly high over the cables, which, combined with a long flare, resulted in touchdown about halfway along the runway. The pilot commenced braking and, near the end of the runway while still braking, attempted to turn the aircraft. The aircraft began to skid, and the pilot straightened it to correct the skid. However, as the aircraft straightened, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft stopped on the runway just beyond the painted numbers designating Runway 09.
Pilot Observations
The pilot reported that skid marks on the runway indicated a skid of 10 to 20 m preceded the landing gear collapse. He commented that the grass was wetter than he had realized and, with hindsight, he should have gone around as his margin for error was too small.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a 1982 Socata TB20 Trinidad (serial no. 333) with one Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D piston engine. The 44-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 194 hours total flying experience, with 76 hours on type. His recent flying included 10 hours in the last 90 days and 2 hours in the last 28 days.