What happened
On 29 May 1999, a Great Lakes 2T-1A, registration G-BUPV, was conducting a private flight when it encountered difficulties during its approach to Peterborough (Sibson) Airport. The aircraft was performing a landing on the grass surface of Runway 15 under conditions of light wind. As the pilot initiated the flare maneuver, they lost visual contact with the runway centerline. During this phase of the landing, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway. Consequently, the left wing of the biplane made contact with a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) installation located adjacent to the runway.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight path and the physical damage sustained by the aircraft and the airfield equipment. The assessment confirmed that the impact resulted in punctured fabric on the aircraft's wing and damage to the aerodrome's PAPI system. There were no injuries to the two occupants on board during the incident.