Accident Narrative
On 29 June 2002, at approximately 1900 UTC, a Beech A23-19 aircraft, registration G-DJHB, was landing at Nayland Airfield in Essex. The airfield is a private landing site with unlicensed grass runways. The pilot, who was familiar with the field, joined the circuit on a long final approach for Runway 32. This runway is a grass strip measuring 600 metres in length and 20 metres in width, with a significant up slope in the centre section. The surface wind was reported as 280° at 10 knots.
During the approach, at around 600 feet above ground level, the pilot experienced some turbulence. Trees were located just before the threshold of the runway. As the aircraft passed over the trees, the pilot noticed that the aircraft was sinking. Once clear of the trees, he reduced power and commenced a flare. During the flare, the aircraft dropped to the surface from an estimated height of 10 to 15 feet, resulting in a heavy landing. The nosewheel detached and the propeller struck the surface before the aircraft came to rest.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft was a Beech A23-19, manufactured in 1967, powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2C piston engine. The flight was a private operation with one pilot and one passenger on board. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries. The damage was limited to the propeller and nose landing gear.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot, aged 53, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 113 total flying hours, of which 61 were on the accident aircraft type. He reported that he felt he could have prevented the accident by keeping the power on for longer and responding more quickly to the sink rate that was experienced. The pilot and his passenger vacated the aircraft normally after landing.
Damage
The nose landing gear detached and the propeller struck the ground, resulting in damage to both components. The aircraft came to rest on the runway.