What happened
On 4 July 2009, a Europa XS, registration G-PHXS, was performing a private flight at Weldon Farm strip near Corby, Northamptonshire. During the landing sequence on the 480-metre-long grass runway, the aircraft completed a right-hand turn of approximately 50°. As the pilot attempted to land, the aircraft made contact with a crop located at the edge of the strip. The impact caused the rear fuselage to break just forward of the tail fin and resulted in damage to both the main landing gear legs and the nosewheel.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 118 total flying hours, reported that the aircraft became stationary at the edge of the strip following the contact. The pilot noted uncertainty regarding whether the aircraft had drifted into the crop due to a wind gust or if the approach had simply been too close to the side of the runway during the flare.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained significant structural damage, including a broken tail section.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.
- The incident was caused by the aircraft's proximity to the crop during the landing flare.