What happened
On 8 August 2010, a Cessna 172s Skyhawk, registration G-GEHL, was performing a private flight at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire. The pilot had completed an overhead join and was proceeding with an approach to Runway 03, with winds recorded between 020º and 03 and 10 kt.
During the flare phase of the landing, the aircraft encountered what the pilot described as a sudden updraft or windshear, which triggered a rapid roll to the right. Although the pilot managed to correct the roll, the aircraft made a heavy touchdown at the intersection of Runway 03 and Runway 29. Following this initial contact, the aircraft bounced two additional times before coming to a stop. The pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal harness, escaped the incident without any injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances of the landing and the condition of the airfield. The pilot noted that the area where the touchdown occurred, specifically the intersection of Runway 03 and Runway 29, was characterized by grass that was notably firm and very bumpy. The aircraft sustained damage to the fuselage floor area.