What happened
On 30 April 2000, a Jodel D112, registration G-BVEH, was performing a cross-country flight from Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire to Breighton Airfield in North Yorkshire. The weather at the destination was favorable, characterized by good visibility and a light wind from 120 degrees at 5 to 10 knots.
As the aircraft was conducting an approach to Runway 11, it experienced a stall approximately 200 metres before reaching the runway threshold. This resulted in the left wing dropping, causing the aircraft to crash into a hedge. Both the pilot and the passenger were wearing appropriate safety restraints and were able to exit the aircraft through the standard hatches without difficulty.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances leading to the loss of control during the final approach. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the left wing, and the right undercarriage. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 522 total flying hours, provided information regarding the flight sequence. The investigation established that the pilot may have been distracted during the approach, leading to a failure to maintain adequate airspeed monitoring.