What happened
A scheduled flight departed Beauvais, France, at 15:54 UTC under an IFR flight plan, destined for Lympne, England. Prior to departure, the pilot-in-command reviewed weather reports indicating a cloud ceiling of 250 feet and visibility of 2000 meters. During the flight, as the aircraft passed Abbeville, updated weather information from Lympne reported visibility had dropped to 1000 meters in drizzle, with winds at 220 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 26 knots.
The pilot initiated a radar-assisted instrument approach to runway 20. During the descent, the aircraft encountered turbulent conditions while flying through clouds at 1100 feet. The radar controller provided altitude guidance and heading corrections as the aircraft approached the airfield. While the pilot reported seeing the aerodrome boundary through heavy drizzle at approximately 220 feet, the aircraft began to drift toward the right edge of the runway centerline.
As the aircraft reached a quarter-mile from touchdown, the crew selected full flaps and reduced power. Severe turbulence occurred during this phase. The pilot opted not to correct the lateral drift to avoid a low-altitude turn. During the final moments, the airspeed indicator fluctuated while the crew attempted to maintain 92 knots. The pilot initiated a flare at approximately 30 to 40 feet above the ground; however, as power was reduced, the starboard wing dropped suddenly. The aircraft struck the ground with significant force on its starboard undercarriage.
The impact caused the separation of the starboard engine nacelle, undercarriage, and wing from the fuselage. The aircraft subsequently rolled onto its right side and slid across the grass in an inverted position, rotating approximately 180 degrees before coming to a stop.
Findings
- The landing was characterized by a heavy impact following an incomplete flare.
- The approach profile was steeper than normal for the prevailing conditions.