What happened
On 3 June 2006, a Jabiru SP-470, registration G-SIMP, was performing a private flight at Wellcross Farm, near Horslam, West Sussex. The flight was part of a series of trips including Popham and Sandown. During the landing phase, the pilot approached the grass strip at 60 kt with full flaps, utilizing a technique of applying power after an initial bump to cushion the touchdown.
As the aircraft decelerated toward taxi speed, it encountered a sudden loss of directional control. The aircraft yawed sharply to the left, resulting in the port wing striking a tree located alongside the runway. The impact caused substantial damage to the wing and cockpit, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the landing conditions and the pilot's technique on the undulating grass surface. The strip at Wellcross Farm is known for transverse ridges, particularly at the 04 end, which can cause aircraft to become momentarily airborne. The pilot had historically used a technique of holding the nosewheel off the ground to protect the landing gear from the uneven terrain.
Investigators looked into the phenomenon of "wheel-barrowing," where significant pressure is applied to the nosewheel while sufficient airspeed remains to generate wing lift. This reduces the stabilizing effect of the rudder and tailfin. It was determined that the uneven surface may have briefly placed enough weight on the nosewheel to contribute to this loss of control.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a sudden yaw to the left during the landing roll.
- The aircraft's speed was higher than usual at the moment of the incident due to the crosswind and the pilot's specific landing technique.
- The primary cause was the sudden loss of directional control on the ground, potentially exacerbated by the aircraft's weight shifting onto the nosewheel during the roll-out on an undulating surface.