What happened
On 15 July 1998, a Rand KR-2, registration G-BVZJ, was conducting a local flight near Upham, Hampshire. The flight was part of a scheduled flight test intended to secure a Permit to Fly for the aircraft, which had been constructed by the pilot.
During the approach to Runway 25 at the Phoenix Farm private airstrip, the pilot encountered gusty conditions with winds from 250° at 10 knots. The grass strip is notably narrow, measuring only 30 metres in width and bordered by a hedge on one side and a crop of oilseed rape on the other. As the aircraft reached the late stages of the approach, it drifted toward the left side of the runway. The wingtip made contact with the oilseed rape crop before the pilot could initiate a go-around maneuver.
This contact caused the aircraft to slew violently. The impact resulted in the engine, including the firewall and bulkhead, separating from the front of the fuselage, and the rear of the fuselage separating at the tail leading edge. The cockpit and wings eventually came to a stop 20 metres further into the crop, remaining upright. There was no fire following the impact.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the physical state of the Rand KR-2 and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 190 total flying hours, was the sole occupant and was wearing a full shoulder harness. No injuries were sustained by the pilot.
Findings
- The aircraft's wingtip became entangled in the oilseed rape crop during the final stages of the approach.
- The pilot's lack of experience on this specific aircraft type and the narrow dimensions of the landing strip were identified as contributing factors to the drift and subsequent contact with the crop.