Accident Overview
On 3 June 2006, at approximately 1620 UTC, a Cessna 180K (registration G-BETG) sustained propeller and cowling damage during a landing accident at a private airstrip near Chewton Mendip, Somerset. The aircraft was manufactured in 1977 and powered by a single Continental Motors Corp O-470-U piston engine. The flight was conducted under private operations with only the pilot on board.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 55, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 342 total flying hours, including 31 hours on the Cessna 180K. In the 90 days preceding the accident, he had logged 3 hours, with none in the last 28 days. He was wearing a lap strap and diagonal harness and was uninjured, vacating the aircraft normally through the left main door.
Flight and Landing
The pilot was returning from a local flight to the private airstrip, located adjacent to the Mendip Hills. Weather conditions were fine with a surface wind from the north at less than 10 kt. After approximately 45 minutes of flight, the pilot conducted a normal approach and landing on ‘Runway’ 05.
Accident Sequence
During the ground roll, the aircraft veered to the left, departed the side of the grass airstrip, and entered an adjacent ploughed field. The soft ground caused the aircraft to pitch forward and nose over, resulting in damage to the engine cowling and propeller.
Pilot’s Assessment
The pilot stated that the swing to the left occurred because he had not sufficiently compensated for the crosswind conditions.
Damage
The propeller and cowling were damaged; no structural damage to the airframe was reported.