What happened
On 23 June 2005, a Cessna 182Q, registration G-WMLT, was conducting a private flight from Blackpool to a grass landing strip located at Yew Tree Lodge, Barton. The strip, which measured approximately 320 metres in length, had recently been mown, leaving the grass short and dry.
During the approach, the pilot performed a normal touchdown. However, the aircraft subsequently encountered a deep rut situated near the unmarked threshold of the strip. This impact caused the aircraft to become airborne a second time. The pilot applied power to the engine and successfully completed a second, normal touchdown. Despite the pilot maintaining the nose wheel off the ground initially and avoiding the use of brakes, the nose landing gear collapsed during the subsequent rollout. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 16 metres from the point of the second touchdown. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and a bent nose wheel.
The investigation
The investigation examined the condition of the landing strip and the aircraft's flight path. It was noted that while the pilot had inspected the strip the previous evening, the recent mowing had made the surface appear even, which likely prevented the detection of the deep rut near the threshold. The wind conditions at the time were reported as 230º/11 kt, with a slight 2º up-slope in the direction of the landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the gear collapse was the aircraft entering a deep rut near the threshold of the grass strip.
- The recent mowing of the grass had obscured the presence of the rut during the pilot's prior inspection.
- The pilot has since indicated that the threshold of the strip will be marked at the start of the runway to improve visibility.