YAK-52 strikes fence during landing at North Weald

Casualties unknown • North Weald Airfield, Essex, GB

A YAK-52 aircraft sustained damage to its landing gear and wing after striking a fence during a landing approach at North Weald Airfield.

What happened

On 18 June 2015, a YAK-52, registration G-CDJJ, was performing a brief post-maintenance check flight. The flight was intended to conclude at the pilot's home base in Shoreham. Although the flight had initially departed from Runway 02, the runway configuration had changed to Runway 30 for the return leg.

During the final approach to Runway 30, the pilot noted the presence of another aircraft on the runway. The delay in this preceding aircraft vacating the runway may have served as a distraction. During the descent, the aircraft flew low and struck a 150 cm high fence located in the undershoot area. The impact caused damage to the propeller, the left wing, the flap, and the left landing gear. As the aircraft continued its landing roll, the already damaged landing gear collapsed.

The investigation

The investigation established that the pilot was unfamiliar with the specific layout of Runway 30, having not used it previously. The fence was positioned approximately 138 m before the displaced threshold of the runway. The pilot indicated that the fence was not visible during the approach, suggesting that limited visibility over the aircraft's nose and reduced visual contrast caused by sunlight may have contributed to the oversight. The investigation also noted that the pilot's attention may have been diverted by the preceding aircraft on the runway.

Findings

  • The aircraft struck a fence in the undershoot of Runway 30 due to a low descent on final approach.
  • The pilot was unaware of the fence's location on the runway being used.
  • Visual obstructions, including the aircraft's nose profile and sunlight-induced low contrast, likely hindered the detection of the obstacle.
  • The presence of another aircraft on the runway may have acted as a distraction.
  • The impact with the fence led to the subsequent collapse of the left landing gear during the landing roll.

Safety action

Following the accident, the airfield operator repainted the lead-in lines for the displaced threshold on Runway 30. Additionally, plans were made to repaint runway closed markings on the disused paved section located outside the airfield boundary.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a fence in the undershoot of the runway because the pilot descended too low on final approach, likely due to a lack of familiarity with the runway layout and distractions from other runway traffic.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-06-18 YAK-52 accident near North Weald Airfield, Essex, GB?

A YAK-52 aircraft sustained damage to its landing gear and wing after striking a fence during a landing approach at North Weald Airfield.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-06-18 involved a YAK-52, registration G-CDJJ, at North Weald Airfield, Essex, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck a fence in the undershoot of the runway because the pilot descended too low on final approach, likely due to a lack of familiarity with the runway layout and distractions from other runway traffic.

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