What happened
On 26 July 2008, a Jabiru SK, registration G-BYFC, was conducting a private flight from Suffolk toward a destination near Tibenham aerodrome in Norfolk. The pilot intended to land at a 600-metre grass strip located approximately one mile west of Tibenham. During the flight, the pilot relied on traditional navigation using a 1:500000 aeronautical chart rather than GPS.
Upon reaching the area north of Diss, the pilot spotted a north/south aligned grass runway and began a landing circuit. This site was actually a different airstrip, located two to three miles ahead of the intended destination. During the final approach, the pilot configured the aircraft with full flaps and reduced speed to 60 kt. As the aircraft crossed the boundary fence at 55 kt, the pilot initiated the flare. At a height of roughly eight feet, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude, striking the ground heavily.
The impact caused the main and nose landing gears to collapse and forced the left hand cockpit door open. The aircraft slid for 130 metres before stopping. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage beyond economic repair.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's navigational methods and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. It was noted that the pilot did not use GPS, relying instead on visual landmarks and charts. The investigation also looked into the sudden descent during the flare. The pilot suggested that thermal activity, specifically updraughts from a nearby cornfield followed by downdraughts over the strip, might have caused the rapid sink rate. This phenomenon had reportedly been experienced by other pilots at that specific location.
Findings
- The pilot mis-identified the destination airstrip, leading to an approach at an incorrect location.
- The pilot did not utilize GPS, relying solely on aeronautical charts and visual identification.
- Thermal activity, characterized by rising air from an adjacent cornfield and subsequent descending air over the runway, may have contributed to the sudden loss of height during the flare.