Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident involved a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-BZSZ, manufactured in 2001. It was powered by a single Jabiru Aircraft PTY 2200A piston engine. The flight was conducted under a National Private Pilot's Licence by a 60-year-old pilot with 312 hours of total flying experience, including 237 hours on type. In the last 90 days, the pilot had flown 4 hours, with 1 hour in the last 28 days. No passengers were on board.
Accident Details
On 6 September 2009 at 1300 UTC, the pilot was returning from a local flight and lined up for an approach to Runway 20, a grass strip at Clipgate Farm, Barham, Kent. The wind was reported from 200° at 8 to 10 kt. Just prior to touchdown, while the pilot was reducing power, the aircraft was struck by a gust of wind from the right. The pilot reported that he had insufficient time to stop the aircraft from drifting to the left.
Outcome
After touchdown, the left wing clipped some hedges, causing the aircraft to spin around until it came to rest. The pilot was uninjured. Damage was sustained to the wings, wing strut, propeller, and nose gear leg. The information for this report was provided by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form.