What happened
On 2 October 2011, a Pitts S-1C Special, registration G-BUWJ, was performing a private flight when it experienced an incident during the approach to a grass airfield near Lower Upham Farm, Swindon. While approaching Runway 18, the pilot noted a period of sinking near the runway threshold. In an attempt to arrest this descent, the pilot increased engine power.
Following this adjustment, the pilot believed the aircraft had landed firmly on the runway. However, the aircraft subsequently traveled approximately 180 metres along the ground. During the application of light braking, the landing gear collapsed, causing the propeller and the lower wing to strike the ground. The pilot later identified that the aircraft had actually touched down short of the runway, specifically at the edge of the threshold where the runway meets a crop field.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of events during the final approach and the physical impact of the landing gear failure. The investigation established that the aircraft's contact with the ground occurred in the transition zone between the runway and an adjacent field, which contributed to the structural damage to the landing gear, propeller, and wing.