What happened
On 17 November 2005, an Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat, registration G-CDDW, was conducting a private flight in Northern Ireland. The pilot originally intended to fly from a home airfield near the southwest corner of Loch Neagh to Newtownards. Due to fog at the departure airfield, the pilot delayed takeoff until approximately 10:30 UTC.
During the return leg of the flight, the pilot encountered fog that significantly obscured the ground, with visibility limited to the tops of structures such as a local factory chimney. Seeking to avoid the fog, the pilot diverted to a private airfield near Draperstown, located roughly 30 miles northwest of Belfast.
Upon approaching the alternative strip, the pilot noted that sheep were grazing at one end of the runway, which reduced the usable landing distance by approximately one-third. Following touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes firmly. This action caused the nose wheel to sink into a patch of soft ground, resulting in a bent nose gear leg and minor damage to the cockpit floor and firewall. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the diversion and the physical state of the airfield. The investigation confirmed that while surface visibility was generally good, localized fog patches were present in sheltered valleys. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making regarding the use of the alternative landing site and the impact of the livestock on the available runway length.