History of the Flight
On 4 September 2010 at 1345 UTC, a Cessna 182N Skylane (registration G-AXZU) was operating an aerial work flight from Errol Airfield in Perthshire, Scotland. The pilot, a 47-year-old male holding a Private Pilot’s Licence with 493 total flying hours (22 on type), had conducted three previous uneventful flights that day, each landing on Runway 05 with an approximately 8 kt direct crosswind from the right. During the fourth flight, he returned to the airfield and flew an approach to Runway 05 with a similar crosswind.
The Incident
The pilot used the same full flap setting, approach speed, and into-wind crab technique as on the previous three landings. Just prior to touchdown, he applied left rudder to align the nose with the runway and right aileron to maintain the centreline. The aircraft touched down normally but after a very short time began to slew to the left. The pilot did not apply the brakes due to the runway’s loose asphalt surface and uneven patches. He allowed the aircraft to slow without brakes while applying right rudder pedal and into-wind aileron to regain the centreline. However, the aircraft continued to slew left, ran through a wire fence, and struck a bush and a vertical metal pole with its left wing before coming to rest. The pilot shut down the engine and vacated the aircraft unassisted via the right door.
Aircraft and Damage
The aircraft was a 1969 Cessna 182N Skylane powered by one Continental O-470-R piston engine. Inspection revealed serious damage to the leading edge of the left wing and a slight dent to the right wing strut. There were no injuries to the pilot, who was the sole occupant.
Investigation
The pilot reported that he could not explain why the aircraft had veered off the runway, noting that he had used the same techniques successfully on the previous three landings. He did not notice any wind gusts or see the windsock indicating a gust. He concluded that there must have been some failure affecting directional controllability. However, the aircraft was examined by an insurance loss adjustor who found no faults with the rudder system, nosewheel steering system, braking system, or tyres.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was determined by the investigation.