What happened
On 19 December 2004, a DHC-1 Chipmunk 22, registration G-AOSU, was performing a landing at Easterton Airfield near Elgin, Scotland. The airfield surface was covered in a light layer of snow. Due to the upwind end of Runway 27 being wet and soft, the pilot intended to land on the first third of the grass runway.
In preparation for a glide landing, the pilot reduced the throttle and selected full flaps before turning onto the final approach. However, the aircraft was positioned too high on the approach. To correct this, the pilot performed a tight S-turn. During the rollout of the second turn, the pilot realized the aircraft was too low but elected to continue the approach. The pilot was flying into a low winter sun positioned just above the horizon. Witnesses observed the aircraft's left wing drop, after which it descended from approximately 100 ft AAL into the field just short of the airfield.
There was no fire following the impact. The pilot sustained back injuries and a cut to the head.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances of the flight and the pilot's medical history. While the pilot had been referred to a neurosurgeon six months after the accident for a brain tumour removal, medical professionals determined that the tumour was present but had not caused symptoms at the time of the accident. However, the surgeon noted that the intracranial lesion could have potentially contributed to the events leading to the crash, specifically regarding the pilot's ability to manage the approach.
Findings
- The pilot stalled the aircraft during the final turn.
- The position and angle of the low winter sun may have acted as a distraction during the maneuver.