What happened
On 31 July 2008, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-BAGX, was performing a private flight from Little Staughton to New York Airstrip near Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Before the flight, the pilot checked weather reports from Waddington and RAF Conings to confirm wind conditions, which indicated calm weather. The pilot also contacted RAF Coningsby to obtain a current update, which reported overcast skies with drizzle and winds of 11 kt from the east-south-east.
Upon arriving at New York, the pilot performed a flypast to check the windsock, which appeared limp, suggesting little to no wind. Based on this observation and the previously checked reports, the pilot opted to use the grass Runway 09. However, during the approach, the pilot noticed the windsock was now extended outward, indicating a strong westerly wind. A rainstorm subsequently moved through the area.
As the pilot initiated the flare and reduced throttle, the aircraft maintained an excessive ground speed. Despite the application of full braking, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently on the wet grass. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft toward the adjacent Runway 17 to avoid the end of the strip, but the momentum caused the aircraft to strike a hedge. The impact resulted in damage to the left wing, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the weather conditions and the pilot's observations prior to landing. It was established that while the pilot had checked official weather reports and the windsock during a flypast, a significant shift in wind direction occurred due to an approaching storm. The investigation also looked at the runway surface conditions and the aircraft's braking performance on the grass strip.