History of the Flight
The pilot, aged 54 and holding a Private Pilot's Licence with 130 hours total flying experience (55 hours on type), departed Leicester with two passengers after discussing the intended flight with the club Chief Flying Instructor. Weather conditions were good, with CAVOK and light winds. The flight to Jericho Farm airstrip was uneventful.
Upon arriving overhead Jericho Farm, the pilot was cautious as another aircraft was executing a missed approach. He flew a right-hand circuit to Runway 26, lowered the third and final stage of flap, and approached at a speed of approximately 73 KIAS.
The Accident
During the landing on the narrow farm strip, the pilot reported that the touchdown was smooth and not far from the threshold. After a ground roll of about 200 metres, he noticed the left wing beginning to catch the rape seed crop on that side. Despite gentle right pedal input, after a further 100 metres the crop “bunched up,” effectively stopping the aircraft's forward movement and spinning it through 180°. The impact collapsed the right landing gear, ripped out the flap, and caused further damage to the airframe. The pilot and the two passengers were unharmed and exited the aircraft normally.
Pilot's Assessment
In evaluating the accident afterward, the pilot considered that he had not taken sufficient note that the airstrip's width of 15 metres would be challenging for landing an aircraft with a wingspan of approximately 10 metres, particularly as there was no marked runway centreline and high crop on both sides of the runway. He further considered that he did not become aware soon enough of the first contact with the crop and did not apply sufficient right pedal to correct the situation.