What happened
On 20 September 2008, a Pegasus GT450 Quik, registration G-PVSS, was conducting a private flight from Oakley airfield. As the pilot approached Croughton farmstrip, observations of the windsock indicated a light north-west wind. Due to the perceived length of the grass runway and the presence of a hedgerow at the end of the strip, the pilot attempted to transition from Runway 27 to Runway 36 by performing a tight right-hand circuit.
During this manoeuvre, the left wheel of the aircraft struck a rut, which caused the aircraft to tilt to the left. This movement resulted in the left wing striking a hedge. As the pilot corrected the aircraft back onto the centreline, the speed increased by approximately 10 mph above the standard approach velocity. Consequently, the aircraft touched down much further down the runway than intended. The aircraft eventually overran the runway, resulting in damage to the wing fabric and the trike hang bracket.
The investigation
Investigators examined the conditions at the farmstrip and the flight path taken by the pilot. The investigation established that the grass runway was notably wetter than usual due to unexpected early evening dew, which contributed to the difficulty in stopping the aircraft within the available distance. The pilot also noted that the grass appeared longer than anticipated.
Findings
- The aircraft's left wing sustained fabric tearing and the hang bracket was distorted following contact with a hedge.
- The pilot was uninjured during the event.
- The pilot's decision to attempt a landing on a different runway via a tight circuit led to the aircraft overshooting the centreline and landing too far down the strip.
- Surface conditions, specifically wet grass and unexpected dew, reduced the effective stopping distance.