What happened
On 2 July 2006, a Medway Eclipser, registration G-CCGA, was conducting a private flight near Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. The pilot was flying at a low altitude along the coastline to view a seal colony. During the flight, the pilot noticed that the aircraft was failing to climb as expected. Suspecting a potential engine issue, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing on a nearby deserted beach, which offered a safer alternative to the terrain on the planned route to Cromer.
The landing was performed into the wind and initially appeared to be on a surface similar to grass. However, as the aircraft decelered, the rear wheels encountered significant drag, causing the front wheel to be pulled down firmly. The aircraft then rapidly came to a halt after rolling onto its nosewheel and right mainwheel, eventually resting on its right wingtip. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the wreckage without injury.
Following the landing, the pilot attempted to taxi the aircraft toward the shore to reach firmer ground. During this attempt, the aircraft became stuck in soft sand. While attempting to recover the aircraft, the machine passed through a shallow sea channel and became swamped.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The pilot inspected the fuel filters and spark plug leads, finding the filters to be clean. Engine temperatures were also found to be within normal operating parameters. The investigation also considered the wind conditions, noting that following the accident, the wind had shifted significantly and was gusting.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to land was prompted by a perceived lack of engine climb performance.
- The aircraft encountered soft sand during the landing roll, which caused the sudden deceleration and subsequent overturn.
- The aircraft was swamped during recovery efforts when it passed through a shallow sea channel.
- Low-level wind conditions, including shifting directions and gusts, likely contributed to the initial lack of observed climb performance.