History of the Flight
The private flight was conducted from a grass airstrip approximately 500 m long with orientation 16/34. Weather information obtained from RAF Lossiemouth indicated good visibility, scattered cloud, and a surface wind from 140° at 14 kt. The pilot assessed the surface wind as from 150° at 12 kt and elected to land in the northerly direction on an approximately 3% upslope.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft bounced on landing, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around. During the left turn to crosswind, the aircraft experienced a loss of airspeed and rapid performance deterioration. Concerned that the aircraft might settle into a small wooded knoll ahead, the pilot turned right towards an open barley field, intending to convert remaining height into airspeed and re-establish a climb. However, when attempting to level the aircraft just above the ground, the pilot found that it would not respond in pitch. The aircraft struck the ground at about 55 kt in a descending right turn, sustaining extensive damage, including folded wings around the fuselage, and causing some crop damage.
Aftermath
The pilot and passenger freed themselves from the wreckage unaided. All three emergency services attended the scene, and both occupants were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Pilot's Comments
The pilot believed he had focused too much on the ground handling characteristics of the aircraft and had not taken into account how the prevailing weather conditions would affect other phases of flight. He thought that the aircraft had encountered a tailwind as it climbed out of relative shelter at ground level and then stalled when he initiated the right turn.