Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 182S Skylane, registration G-ZBLT, powered by a single Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 piston engine and manufactured in 2000. The flight was a private trip from Kidlington Airport, Oxfordshire, to Perranporth, Cornwall. The commander, aged 57, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 170 flight hours, of which 60 were on type. In the 90 days preceding the accident, he had flown 12 hours, and in the last 28 days, 6 hours.
Approach and Crosswind Conditions
The aircraft was landing on Runway 27 at Perranporth. The wind was reported as 310° at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots, producing a crosswind component of 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The Cessna 182 Flight Manual notes that the maximum allowable crosswind velocity depends on pilot capability and airplane limitations, and that operation in direct crosswinds of 15 knots has been demonstrated.
Landing and Runway Excursion
Touchdown was uneventful, occurring just left of the runway centreline. Shortly after, the pilot perceived a powerful gust that forced the aircraft violently to the left. Despite an attempted correction to the right, the main wheel caught the runway edge. The aircraft continued onto the grass, where the nosewheel dug into soft earth, causing the aircraft to tip onto its nose.
Outcome and Damage
The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft through normal means and were uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose landing gear leg, and one wing tip.