What happened
On 10 June 2008, a Devenport MB Escapade 912(1), registration G-CDEV, was performing a private flight near Warminster, Wiltshire. During an approach to land on Runway 27 at Wing Farm, the aircraft encountered a light north-westerly wind. As the aircraft flew below the height of a row of tall poplar trees situated near the runway threshold, it experienced a sudden increase in its rate of descent.
The aircraft made a heavy landing on the runway and bounced. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power and initiated a go-around. However, during the second landing attempt, the aircraft slewed sharply to the right and departed the runway surface, coming to a stop in a field of recently cut stubble. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the lower fuselage structure.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances of the landing and the environmental factors present at the airfield. It was noted that the landing gear support structure within the fuselage had deformed, with evidence suggesting this damage may have been sustained during a previous landing. The pilot suggested that the trees located near the runway threshold likely influenced local wind conditions, potentially reducing the headwind component when the aircraft was in the lee of the trees. Additionally, the pilot noted that the initial approach may have been flown at an insufficient speed, failing to account for these wind effects.