What happened
On 6 October 2007, a Piper L21B Super Cub, registration G-SCUB, was conducting a private flight near Anwick, Lincolnshire. Following a 30-minute local flight, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary overflight of the farm strip used for departure. This decision was prompted by the observation of birds in the fields adjacent to the landing area.
The pilot intended to land on the grass Runway 07. During the approach, the aircraft was positioned to fly diagonally from east to west to inspect the runway and approach path. As the aircraft descended, the right wheel caught on 11 k/VA power cables located at the eastern edge of the strip. This contact caused the aircraft to spin uncontrollably before striking the ground. The impact resulted in two serious injuries to the occupants and extensive damage to both the aircraft and the power cables.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances leading to the contact with the cables and the visibility of the hazard. It was noted that the aircraft was being operated by a pilot with 46 total flying hours. The investigation also looked into the environmental conditions of the landing site, specifically the recent agricultural activity in the area.
Findings
- The right wheel of the G-SCUB snagged on power cables during the descent.
- Recent cultivation of the land had created a low visual contrast between the cables and the background, making them difficult for the pilot to identify.
- The pilot's attention was divided between monitoring flight instruments and maintaining a lookout for the runway and approach path, which contributed to the excessive sink rate and the failure to detect the cables.