What happened
On 17 July 1999, a Druine D.31 Turbulent, registration G-ARBZ, was conducting a private cross-country flight from White Waltham airfield. The pilot intended to conclude the flight by landing in a field located near East Mersea, Essex. The chosen landing site was an east-west oriented field measuring roughly 450 yards in length.
Meteorological conditions for the flight were reported as CAVOK with a light southwesterly wind. As the pilot approached the field, the flight path required passing over telephone wires standing approximately 15 feet high. To manage the obstacle and the limited landing distance, the pilot maintained a minimum safe approach speed of 55 kt.
During the final stage of the approach, the aircraft struck the ground with significant force while in a three-point attitude. Despite the pilot applying full throttle and full aft stick, the impact was heavy. The force of the crash caused the forward section of the fuselage to detach from the rest of the aircraft. The pilot, who was wearing a 4-point harness, sustained serious back injuries. Emergency services, including police, ambulance, and fire crews, attended the scene to assist the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the approach and the aircraft's behavior during the final moments before impact. The pilot noted that the aircraft was in a stable approach condition prior to the incident. The investigation considered the pilot's report that a gust of wind from the rear of the aircraft may have caused a sudden loss of airspeed, contributing to the heavy touchdown.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage that resulted in it being destroyed.
- The pilot's approach speed was intentionally kept at 55 kt to account for the short landing distance and the presence of telephone wires.
- A rearward gust of wind is believed to have caused a loss of airspeed, leading to the heavy ground impact.