What happened
On 30 March 1999, a Cessna Citation 550, registration VP-CTJ, was conducting a private corporate flight from Lisbon, Portugal, to St Mawgan Airport, Cornwall. The flight was operated by a single pilot. Upon approaching St Mawgan, the commander requested an ILS approach to Runway 31, opting for a coupled approach despite a tailwind.
During the final stages of the approach, the pilot disconnected the autopilot once the runway was visible at approximately 280 feet. However, at roughly 140 feet, the pilot reported being temporarily blinded by landing lights reflecting off drifting mist. During this period of reduced visibility, the aircraft developed a high rate of descent. The aircraft subsequently struck the AR15 surveillance radar marker and the PAR reflector, causing significant damage to the left wing and flap assembly. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the seven passengers or the single crew member.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the meteorological conditions, and the impact with the airfield equipment. Because the aircraft was below the radar coverage area during the final approach, the investigators could not use recorded radar data to confirm the exact approach path. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's subsequent ferry flight to Biggin Hill, during which a fuel leak was discovered and the aircraft experienced significant fuel imbalance.
Findings
- The aircraft's descent rate exceeded 950 fpm between the point of autopilot disconnection and the impact.
- Light mist and reflections from landing lights caused a temporary loss of visual reference for the pilot.
- The impact with the radar markers caused structural damage to the left wing skin, ribs, and the composite flap assembly.
- The commander operated the aircraft without specific authority for single-pilot operations from the Cayman Islands CAA.
- The aircraft was flown from St Mawgan to Biggin Hill without a formal damage assessment or ferry permit, violating air navigation orders.