Accident Details
On 15 July 2005, at approximately 1702 UTC, a Jodel D11 (registration G-BAPR) sustained damage during landing at Wolverhampton Airport, West Midlands. The aircraft was conducting a private flight from its base at Oaksey Park, Wiltshire. The pilot and one passenger were onboard; both were uninjured.
Flight and Approach
The flight to Wolverhampton was uneventful. The aircraft joined overhead at about 1700 hrs as requested by Wolverhampton radio. Runway 28 was in use, with an asphalt surface and an available landing distance of 880 m. The pilot estimated a surface wind of north westerly at 10 kts. A Meteorological Office aftercast indicated surface wind 320°/10 kt and CAVOK conditions. The pilot and passenger noted rising ground to the east and discussed its potential effect on height perception.
Landing and Loss of Control
The pilot established a final approach, reporting that the wind was light and variable but the windsock indicated a light north westerly wind, leading him to expect a crosswind component. Judging he was slightly high, he used a sideslip on short finals to reduce height. The round out was normal, but the aircraft touched down slightly early. It bounced lightly, not enough to prompt a go-around, and settled in a three-point attitude. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered violently to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and left brake, followed by a burst of power as the yaw continued. These actions arrested the right yaw but initiated a yaw to the left. The pilot then applied full right rudder and right brake and closed the throttle. The yaw continued increasing, and the right main undercarriage leg failed. The aircraft slid on its left main undercarriage, tailwheel, and right wing for a short distance, with the propeller contacting the runway. It came to rest on the runway about one-third from the threshold, yawed left through approximately 120° from the runway heading.
Aftermath
The pilot switched off the engine and both occupants vacated the aircraft without injury. A fire tender arrived shortly and offered assistance. The aircraft was removed from the runway without further damage. The pilot attributed the accident to a loss of control following a gust of wind from the right.
Damage
An assessment by the repair agency found that the right main undercarriage had failed inboard, the right wing was damaged, and the propeller had impact damage with the engine shock-loaded. The aircraft was deemed beyond economic repair.