Accident Details
On 9 October 2002 at 1100 hours, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-ASKV, was involved in a ground incident at Parham Airfield, West Sussex. The aircraft was being used for private aero-towing operations. The sole pilot, a 70-year-old commercial pilot with 3,339 hours total flying experience (375 hours on type), was not injured.
Circumstances
The aircraft conducted a left-hand circuit to land on grass strip 04. The surface wind was reported as 15 knots from 120°, resulting in a crosswind from the right. After a normal touchdown at 70 mph, the aircraft slowed to approximately 15 mph (13 knots) and began to slide to the left. Despite the pilot applying right wheel brake and right rudder, the slide continued. The left wing tip struck a windsock post located close to the left edge of the strip.
Damage
The impact caused structural damage to the left wing tip, the outboard end of the wing trailing edge spar, and the outboard end of the aileron.
Contributing Conditions
According to the pilot, the accident resulted from a combination of factors: short grass, loose grass clippings, a very wet surface, and wind gusting from the right. The gliding club was considering relocating the windsock away from the aero-tow strip.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee (G-ASKV) was manufactured in 1963 and powered by a single Lycoming O-540-B2C5 piston engine.