What happened
On 13 April 2001, a Cessna TU206G, registration G-BYIC, was conducting a private flight involving parachute dropping operations at Shotton Colliery Airfield, County Durham. The mission involved four circuits at 3,500 feet, with one parachutist exiting during each pass. The flight was being used as a training session, with the commander supervising a pilot to qualify him for parachute dropping duties.
Following the final exit, the pilot began a wide left-hand descending circuit. The aircraft was stabilized on final approach at 70 knots with full flaps extended. As the aircraft passed over a chain-link fence located 60 metres before the runway threshold, the trainee pilot believed the aircraft was too low and initiated a go-around by applying power. This caused the aircraft nose to pitch up abruptly. Before the commander could intervene, the aircraft sank and struck the ground on its nose landing gear, which subsequently collapsed. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 70 metres from the point of impact. There were no injuries to the two crew members.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight sequence and the actions of the crew during the critical moments of the approach. The investigation focused on the transition from the approach to the go-around maneuver and the aerodynamic response of the aircraft to the sudden application of power. The inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the nosewheel, the propeller leg, and evidence of possible shockloading to the engine.