Incident
On 20 June 2003, at approximately 1130 UTC, a Cessna 180, registration G-AXZO, was on late final approach to land on grass Runway 03 at Roughay Farm Strip near Winchester, Hampshire. The aircraft struck electricity cables at an estimated height of 25 feet above ground level. The landing was continued, but upon touchdown the right landing gear detached. The aircraft veered off the runway to the right and came to a halt in the standing crop beside the runway. The pilot and a single passenger vacated the aircraft uninjured through the normal exit.
The pilot had been advised by the air strip operator of the presence of wires just short of the threshold of Runway 03. Consequently, he planned his approach to land well beyond the normal touchdown point. However, neither the pilot nor the passenger saw the wires, which were described as of a greenish colour and blended into the background, until it was too late to avoid them.
Aircraft and Pilot Details
The aircraft was a Cessna 180, manufactured in 1954, powered by a single Continental O-470-A piston engine. The flight was private. The pilot, aged 65, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had a total of 753 flying hours, with 10 hours on type. In the previous 90 days he had flown 5 hours, and in the last 28 days, 4 hours.
Aftermath
Roughay Farm Strip is a private airfield requiring prior permission for landing. Aeronautical information about the strip is not published. Following the incident, the air strip operator has taken steps to improve the visibility of the wires.