What happened
On 7 April 2003, a pilot was conducting a private flight involving general handling and short field landing practice at a private landing strip in Pointon, Lincolnshire. The aircraft, an Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar registered G-SDFM, was operating on a grass runway approximately 300 metres long. The pilot had intended to practice landing closer to the threshold of Runway 09.
After performing several stalling exercises, the pilot conducted a standard approach using full flaps. Following an initial touchdown roughly 50 metres from the threshold, the pilot opted for a touch-and-go. Two subsequent approaches were aborted to avoid landing too long or undershooting. During the following approach, the main wheels of the Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar struck the top of a dyke bank located adjacent to the runway threshold. This impact caused the aircraft to pitch forward onto its nose wheel, resulting in the collapse of the nose gear and the destruction of the propeller upon ground contact. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury, though the canopy had opened during the impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the site and the aircraft to determine the cause of the gear collapse and structural damage. The investigation established that the dyke bank, while only about one foot higher than the runway surface, was covered in grass and visually blended with the runway. The inspection of G-SDFM revealed damage to the landing gear, the propeller, and a crack in the center section of the wing spar. The pilot reported no presence of windshear or turbulence during the final approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact of the main wheels with a raised dyke bank at the runway threshold.
- The dyke bank was difficult to distinguish from the runway surface due to its grass covering.
- The pilot was actively practicing short field landing techniques, which involved attempting to land closer to the threshold.
- There were no injuries to the pilot following the event.