What happened
On 9 February 2003, a Cessna 182S Skylane, registration G-ZBLT, was conducting a private flight from Kidlington Airport to Perranporth. During the approach to Runway 27, the aircraft encountered significant wind conditions, with winds recorded at 310 degrees at 20 knots, gusting up to 28 knots. This created a crosswind component of 13 knots, increasing to 17 knots during gusts.
The aircraft initially made an uneventful touchdown slightly to the left of the runway centerline. Shortly after contact with the runway, a powerful gust of wind struck the aircraft, forcing it violently to the left. This movement caused the main wheel to strike the edge of the runway surface. Despite attempts by the pilot to correct the aircraft's direction to the right, the plane drifted onto the adjacent grass area. Upon reaching the grass, the nosewheel became embedded in the soft ground, causing the aircraft to tip forward onto its nose. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, wing tip, and nose leg.
The investigation
The investigation examined the weather conditions at the time of the accident and the aircraft's handling characteristics. Investigators reviewed the flight manual for the Cessuna 182S Skylane, noting that the maximum allowable crosswind velocity is determined by both the limitations of the airplane and the capability of the pilot. The manual specifically notes that operations in direct crosswinds of 15 knots have been demonstrated.