What happened
On 22 April 2006, an Auster 5J1 Autocrat, registration G-AMTM, was performing a private flight from Hinton-on-the-Hedges to Oaklands Farm Strip in Stonesfield, Oxfordshire. The weather conditions were calm with clear visibility, though the grass runway surface was damp.
As the pilot prepared for a straight-in approach to Runway 30, a runner was observed moving along the edge of the field to the right of the aircraft. This distraction occurred while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 150 ft. During the landing sequence, the left main landing gear struck a wooden electricity pole that had been placed across the start of the runway. The pole had been positioned there earlier that month by the strip owner to prevent unauthorized vehicle access to the airfield.
Following the impact, the left wing tip made contact with the ground, and the aircraft veered left into an adjacent arable field. The left main landing gear was bent rearwards, and the aircraft briefly tipped onto its nose before settling into a three-point attitude. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the placement of the poles and the pilot's approach. It was established that the poles were intended to act as a barrier against vandals using the strip as a skid pan. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the specific conditions of the landing. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose cowling, left wing tip, and left main landing gear, with the engine experiencing a shock load due to the propeller striking the ground.