What happened
On 8 March 2012, a Pulsar, registration G-LWNG, was conducting a private flight from Wellesbourne Airfield. Upon arriving at Grove Farm Airstrip in Leicestershire, the pilot performed a low overflight of Runway 29 to inspect the runway surface, as the location was unfamiliar to the commander.
During the subsequent approach, the pilot intended to land at the beginning of the 350 m runway by reducing power early. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft touching down in the field area before the runway threshold. As the aircraft transitioned onto the runway surface, the pilot experienced a sharp jolt. After taxiing to the hangars and shutting down the engine, an inspection revealed that the nosewheel strut was bent and the lower engine cowling had been distorted near the lateral engine support attachments.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the touchdown location and the runway surface conditions. The pilot inspected the area where the initial contact with the ground occurred. This inspection revealed a ridge of soft soil, roughly 150 mm in height, spanning half the width of the runway at the threshold of Runway 29. The other half of the threshold was level with the adjacent field. The investigation established that the pilot had not identified this soil ridge during the initial reconnaissance overflight.