Incident Details
On 26 July 2003 at approximately 1400 UTC, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-CMGC, was engaged in glider towing operations at Midland Gliding Club, Long Mynd, Shropshire. The airfield has no fixed direction of takeoff and landing, features a gully at one end, and is bordered by public rights of way on two sides. Efficient towing operations require the tow rope to be deposited as close as possible to the launch point, though efforts are made to avoid dropping or dragging it across public rights of way. Several approach options are available, each with varying advantages and drawbacks depending on wind velocity.
On this occasion, the pilot returned from a lengthy tow to find that wind direction and the position of parked gliders constrained his available landing direction. He chose to make a curving approach, during which he observed a pedestrian close to his intended touchdown point. In his efforts to remain well clear of the pedestrian, he increased his rate of turn and subsequently misjudged his approach, arriving at the ground with both a pronounced bank angle and a significant rate of descent. This resulted in the port wing contacting the ground as the undercarriage compressed. The pilot was initially unaware that such contact had occurred.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, was manufactured in 1977 and powered by a single Lycoming O-540-B2C5 piston engine. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot's Licence and was 47 years old. His total flying experience was 844 hours, of which 314 were on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 27 hours, and in the last 28 days, 11 hours. The flight was classified as private.
Aftermath
The pilot was uninjured, and there were no passengers. The aircraft sustained minor damage: a bent or broken rib at the trailing edge of the wingtip. No further action or analysis was provided in the source.