What happened
On 27 September 2008, a Cessna F172H Skyhawk, registration G-AWUX, was conducting a private flight at Dowland Farm Strip in Devon. The pilot performed an uneventful approach to Runway 27 with a 40° wind angle. Upon reaching the end of the runway, the pilot steered the aircraft to the right with the flaps selected.
The aircraft touched down at a speed of 58 kt. While the pilot initiated normal braking procedures, the aircraft encountered a patch of damp green grass. This surface condition caused the aircraft to begin skidding. In an attempt to avoid a low hedge and a retaining wall located just beyond the runway, the pilot was unable to bring the aircraft to a complete stop. The aircraft eventually struck both the hedge and the wall at a low speed, estimated to be less than 10 kt.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board. Both occupants were able to exit the aircraft through their respective cabin doors without difficulty. The impact resulted in dents to the cowling and the left wing strut.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events during the landing roll and the environmental factors present on the airfield at the time of the incident.