What happened
On 14 July 2003, a Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior, registration G-LUSH, was conducting a private flight into Meppershall Airfield in Bedfordshire. The pilot, who was visiting the airfield for the first time, attempted an approach to the 630-metre grass Runway 02. At the time of the approach, the estimated wind was 110° at 10 knots.
During the short final phase of the approach, the pilot noted that the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at approximately 55 kt with full flaps selected. As the aircraft descended, the pilot became aware of a downslope on the runway. This resulted in the aircraft floating down the strip and drifting toward the right side of the runway. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied full braking, which caused the aircraft to yaw to the right. Despite attempts to correct the yaw with left rudder, the right wing struck the side of a brick hangar. The impact caused the aircraft to spin further to the right, eventually striking a wooden shed before coming to a halt. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair, though there were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the approach and the physical characteristics of the airfield. The pilot noted that the outside air temperature was between 28 and 30°C and suggested that a thermal might have affected the aircraft as it crossed the runway threshold. The investigation also considered the pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific runway gradient at Meppershall Airfield.