What happened
On 14 July 2003, a Europa aircraft, registration G-OMIK, was performing a private flight at Shotteswell, Warwickshire. The pilot had completed five previous flights that day, totaling nine hours of flying time prior to this final arrival.
Although wind conditions supported the use of Runway 09, the pilot opted to land on the dry grass of Runway 15 to avoid a downhill slope and parked vehicles at the end of the primary runway. During the approach, the pilot executed a heavy landing, striking the surface tail wheel first near the runway threshold. The aircraft bounced multiple times before the pilot was unable to maintain the centerline. Despite applying full right rudder, the aircraft drifted left, causing the left wing tip to strike nearby 30-inch high crops. The aircraft yawed sharply to the left before coming to a stop with its nose embedded in the crops.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the landing and the physical state of the aircraft. It was noted that the landing resulted in a twisted main wheel, damage to the tail wheel, and a compression crease under the fuselage. The investigation considered the pilot's flight history for the day and the environmental conditions of the grass runway.
Findings
- The landing was characterized by a heavy impact, hitting the tail wheel first.
- Damage sustained to the main and tail wheels during the impact likely compromised the aircraft's directional control.
- The pilot's decision-making and landing precision may have been influenced by fatigue, as the pilot had been flying for nine hours prior to the incident.