What happened
On 17 August 2009, a CZAW Sportcruiser, registration G-CZSC, was conducting a private local flight from Priory Farm Airstrip in Norfolk. After departing earlier that day, the pilot returned to the airfield at 1420 hrs. Upon arrival, the pilot performed an overhead join, utilizing blind radio calls.
Observing the windsock, the pilot noted the wind had shifted to a north-westerly direction, prompting a decision to land on Runway 01. During the landing roll, after the main gear had touched down but before the nose gear made contact, a sudden gust of wind acted on the tail of the aircraft. This caused the aircraft to turn sharply to the left toward a ditch and hedge running alongside the runway.
Although the pilot attempted to correct the deviation, the left wingtip struck a large branch within the hedge. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees, ultimately coming to rest in the ditch. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the fuselage and both wings.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the wind direction had been fluctuating between north-west and south-west, with gusts reaching up to 15 kt. The pilot noted that a sudden gust had caught them by surprise, causing the unexpected yaw.
Investigators also reviewed the airfield's characteristics. While the flight guide for Priory Farm Airstrip notes the presence of trees and buildings on the approach to Runway 01, it does not explicitly highlight the hedge located along the runway. The pilot's familiarity with this specific runway approach was also noted, as it was only the third time they had landed on Runway 01.