What happened
On 12 February 2001, a Jabiru SK, registration G-BYCZ, was engaged in a private pleasure flight departing from Fishburn Airfield, County Durham. The flight, which lasted approximately one hour, was conducted under favorable weather conditions characterized by clear skies and light winds.
Upon returning to the airfield, the pilot attempted a landing on the grass Runway 26. To manage the existing crosswind, the pilot employed a wing-down technique. However, during the touchdown phase, a slight gust prompted the pilot to overcorrect, resulting in the aircraft making contact with the ground on its right wheel first. Following this initial contact, the aircraft veered northward and exited the 30-metre-wide runway, entering a ploughed field located to the right of the strip. As the aircraft entered the field, the nosewheel became embedded in the soft soil, causing the aircraft to overturn. The pilot, who was secured by a lap and shoulder strap, was able to exit the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's condition and the state of the landing area. The Jabiru SK sustained damage including split wing ends and a bent landing gear strut. Investigators noted that Runway 26 features a significant upslope. A subsequent inspection of the threshold for Runway 26 revealed that the ground was notably wet and soft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the pilot's overcorrection during touchdown due to gusty conditions.
- The landing was performed on the right wheel first, which contributed to the loss of directional control.
- The soft and wet nature of the runway threshold and the subsequent ploughed field facilitated the nosewheel digging into the earth, leading to the overturn.