What happened
On 13 August 2009, a BFC Challenger II, registration G-MGAA, was conducting a private flight at a farm strip located near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. The strip used for the operation was oriented 17/35, consisting of a central 230 m section of grass flanked by substantial hedgerows, with a 20 m gap at the northern end.
During the initial departure, weather conditions were fine with almost calm winds and a dry surface. However, upon returning to the strip approximately 50 minutes later, the pilot encountered stronger easterly surface winds gusting to an estimated 15 mph. While landing on the northerly runway, the aircraft touched down near the middle of the central portion of the strip. Before the aircraft had fully settled, it began to veer toward the left. The pilot attempted to correct this deviation using the rudder, but the maneuver was unsuccessful as the nosewheel was not yet in contact with the ground to allow for effective steering. Consequently, the left wing of the aircraft struck a hedgerow at an estimated speed of 35 mph. The impact resulted in no injuries to the pilot but caused damage to the port wing, the fuselage, and the nose landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the environmental conditions at the time of the landing, noting the change in wind velocity and direction between the departure and the return. The investigation also assessed the mechanical state of the aircraft's steering capabilities during the landing roll and the physical layout of the farm strip, specifically the proximity of the hedgerows to the runway centerline.