History of the Flight
The pilot departed from Wycombe Air Park for a private flight to Bembridge Airport, Isle of Wight, flying in company with another aircraft. The occupants of both aircraft were members of the same flying group. The passenger on the accident aircraft was also a pilot and was intended to act as pilot-in-command for the return leg. The pilot was familiar with Bembridge, having last flown there about seven weeks earlier in a Cessna 172. The flight proceeded normally in fine weather conditions.
Approach and Landing
The pilot identified an easterly wind and planned to land on Runway 12, a hard runway 837 m long and 23 m wide with a threshold displaced by 24 m. The runway was the same width as that at the pilot's home base at Wycombe Air Park, but 100 m longer. The pilot attempted to contact Bembridge on their Air/Ground frequency but received no reply. As the aircraft neared the airfield, the pilot saw that the circuit was clear and proceeded to position for Runway 12 while making blind radio transmissions. The aircraft turned left onto final approach but was somewhat high and slightly fast. The pilot corrected and reported regaining the ideal approach path at about 1 nm from the runway, with speed reducing to approach speed.
Accident Sequence
The pilot throttled back just before the aircraft reached the paved runway surface. The aircraft sank and struck soft ground before rolling onto the runway. Although the nose landing gear had evidently been damaged, the pilot was able to taxi along the runway before vacating and shutting down. A later inspection of the threshold area showed that the aircraft had touched down about 18 m short of the runway, creating deep ruts in the soft ground. It was judged that most of the aircraft damage had occurred as it transitioned from the soft ground to the hard runway.
Damage
The aircraft suffered shock loading to the engine, damage to the landing gear, right wing, and propeller. No injuries were reported among the crew or passenger.
Pilot Experience
The pilot, aged 61, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 371 hours of flying experience, of which 10 were on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 3 hours; in the last 28 days, 1 hour.