What happened
On 2 July 2009, a Flight Design CTSW, registration G-KFLY, was conducting a private flight from Sywell Aerodrome to Abbeville, France, with a scheduled stop at Damyn’s Hall Aerodrome. The flight proceeded normally until the aircraft crossed the English Channel. At an altitude of 3,500 ft, visibility dropped to approximately 2 nm, leaving the pilot with no visible horizon other than sea vessels and their wakes. During this period, the pilot experienced spatial disorientation as the perceived direction of the vessels changed, leading to a rapid descent and a tight left turn toward buildings. The pilot managed to level the wings and initiated a go-around, subsequently diverting to Southend Airport, where the aircraft landed safely.
Following the incident, the pilot returned to Damyn’s Hall. During the approach to Runway 03, the aircraft was subjected to a left crosswind. Although the approach and flare were executed normally, a sudden gust of wind caught the aircraft just before touchdown. This resulted in a heavy landing and a subsequent bounce. While there were no fatalities and no injuries to the crew or passenger, a post-flight inspection the following day revealed structural damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot had been significantly affected by the disorientation experienced over the Channel. The pilot noted that his handling of the aircraft during the return to Damyn’s Hall was mechanical and less smooth than usual. The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing at Damyn’s Hall, specifically the impact of the wind gust on the aircraft's stability at the moment of touchdown.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the nose landing gear attachment points, the engine frame, and its mountings.
- The damage was caused by the heavy landing and subsequent bounce.
- A wind gust occurred at the moment of touchdown, contributing to the impact.