What happened
On 31 May 2000, a Cessna 182C, registration G-ARAW, was performing a private approach to Runway 26 at Prior Farm Strip, located near Partridge Green, West Sussex. The airfield features a grass runway measuring 640 metres in length. During the approach, the aircraft encountered two 11kV power cables positioned approximately 70 metres from the threshold of the runway. These cables were situated at heights of 8 metres and 10 metres.
While the pilot had maintained sufficient altitude to clear the obstructions, a sudden occurrence of wind shear caused the aircraft to lose lift and descend into the cables. The impact caused the propeller to cease rotation and induced a rapid roll to the left. Although the pilot attempted to correct the aircraft's attitude, the combined drag from the cables and the loss of engine power resulted in a heavy impact on the nose and the right main landing gear. The aircraft eventually stopped roughly 200 metres from the cables. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, who exited the aircraft via the standard door.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight conditions, noting that the weather was fine with good visibility and a surface wind of 180° to 190° at 10 to 15 knots. The assessment focused on the sequence of events following the encounter with the power lines and the resulting damage to the airframe, which included shock loading to the engine, damage to the propeller, the left wing leading edge and upper surface, the right flap, the left aileron, and the cabin floor.