What happened
On 26 July 2003, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-CMGC, was performing glider towing duties at the Midland Gliding Club, located at Long Mynd, Shropshire. Following a prolonged towing mission, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft. Due to the specific positioning of parked gliders and the prevailing wind direction, the pilot's landing options were limited.
To execute the landing, the pilot initiated a curved approach. During this maneuver, the pilot spotted a pedestrian near the intended touchdown area. In an attempt to maintain a safe distance from the individual, the pilot increased the aircraft's rate of turn. This maneuver led to a misjudgment of the approach parameters, causing the aircraft to arrive at the surface with a significant rate of descent and a pronounced bank angle. Consequently, the port wingtip struck the ground as the undercarriage compressed, resulting in a bent and broken rib at the trailing edge of the wing tip. The pilot did not immediately realize that the wing had made contact with the ground.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the operational constraints of the airfield, noting that the site lacks a fixed takeoff or landing direction and is bordered by public rights of way and a gully. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the specific environmental factors, such as wind and aircraft positioning, that influenced the decision-making process during the final approach.