What happened
On 20 May 2004, a Cessna 182L Skylane, registration G-ENRM, was conducting a private flight from Plymouth to Dunkeswell, with the ultimate intention of landing at the North Hill Gliding Site in Devon. After landing at Dunkeswell, the pilot contacted a co-owner of the aircraft, who was working as a gliding instructor at North Hill, to coordinate arrival procedures.
Upon approaching North Hill, the pilot observed glider activity and orbited the field while communicating with the local radio. After being informed that the circuit was clear, the pilot commenced a straight-in approach, aiming to land in an area beyond two gliders present on the field. At the time, a light crosswind was blowing from the right.
As the aircraft approached, the co-owner attempted to signal the duty instructor to alert him to the incoming traffic; however, this gesture was misunderstood. The pilot allowed the aircraft to drift toward the left side of the landing strip. Unaware of a specific ground depression and downslope located to the left of the runway, the pilot realized the terrain was unsuitable only once the aircraft had entered the depression. An attempt to perform a late go-around resulted in the aircraft drifting further left, where it struck a fence post. The impact caused the aircraft to turn upside down. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the approach procedures, the ground conditions at the North Hill Gliding Site, and the pilot's awareness of local terrain features. It was established that the duty instructor had not been notified of the aircraft's specific intention to land. The investigation also looked into the impact of the wind conditions and the pilot's maneuvering during the late aborted landing attempt.
Findings
- The pilot was unaware of the downslope and ground depression located to the left of the primary landing area.
- The aircraft's path drifted left due to the combination of a light crosswind and the yaw produced by the application of power during the go-around attempt.
- The go-around maneuver was initiated too late to avoid the unsuitable terrain.
- The aircraft sustained damage including a detached nose leg and damage to the tail fin and rudder.