What happened
On 11 August 2000, a Marquart MA5 Charger, registration G-BHBT, was conducting a private flight from Deanlands to Jackerell's Farm in Sussex. The destination, a grass airstrip, features a runway oriented 03/21 approximately 550 metres in length, with a notable downslope on Runway 21.
Upon arrival, the pilot performed a circuit to land on Runway 03. While the approach speed and height were appropriate, the aircraft was not initially aligned with the narrow mown portion of the strip, requiring the pilot to adjust the lateral position. The aircraft touched down roughly halfway down the runway, leaving approximately 215 metres of usable surface. Due to the aircraft's configuration, the nose obstructed forward visibility from the rear cockpit, preventing the pilot from immediately realizing the proximity to the end of the strip. Realizing a go-around was no longer possible, the pilot applied heavy braking. This caused the tail to lift and the propeller to strike the ground, leading the aircraft to rotate forward and come to rest inverted. The pilot escaped the open cockpit without any injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the landing conditions at the farm. It was noted that the upper wing fuel tank was nearly full, which contributed to a higher than normal centre of gravity. The investigation also looked at the visibility constraints inherent to the aircraft type when in a landing attitude, specifically how the nose obscures the view from the rear seat.