What happened
On 31 August 2013, a Kiss 400-582, registration G-CBMX, was conducting a private flight toward Harringe Court Farm Strip in Ashford, Kent. During the approach to Runway 01, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of lift, described by the pilot as encountering sink, which caused the aircraft to cross a fence located in the undershoot area of the strip.
As the pilot attempted to correct the descent by applying full power, one or both of the main wheels made contact with the ground in a stubble field. This caused the nosewheel to dig into the surface, resulting in the aircraft veering to the right and coming to rest on its right side. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair, though there were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances of the approach and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Weather conditions were reported as good, with a light north wind of approximately 5 knots. The pilot noted that the wind was blowing heavily across the strip. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions, specifically the decision to apply full power to mitigate the sink, which ultimately led to the main wheels striking the ground prematurely.