What happened
On 9 April 2004, a Luscombe 8A, registration G-BUAO, was conducting a private local flight departing from Lower Upham Airfield near Marlborough, Wiltshire. The weather conditions at the time were favorable, with a 12-knot wind originating from the northwest.
As the aircraft approached Runway 27 for landing, it experienced a bounce of approximately 4 feet. In an attempt to manage the rate of descent following this bounce, the pilot increased engine power. This action resulted in the landing roll extending into the final 200 metres of the runway, which features a 1 in 5 downslope. While traversing this downhill section, the pilot applied the brakes, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's fin and nose area. Both the pilot and the passenger, who were wearing appropriate safety harnesses, exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the runway characteristics, noting that while the grass surface of Runway 27 is approximately 680 metres long, the final portion of the strip is inclined downwards. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions regarding throttle usage and braking techniques during the landing phase.