What happened
On 5 May 2003, a Rans S10 Sakota, registration G-BWIA, was performing a private flight at Thruxton, Hampshire. During the landing phase on grass Runway 25, the aircraft experienced a slight bounce upon initial contact with the surface, eventually settling after a second touchdown.
As the aircraft decelerated with all three wheels in contact with the runway, a wind gust—varying between 260° and 290° at 8 knots—caught the airframe. Before the pilot could apply sufficient rudder correction, the aircraft drifted to the left, exiting the runway and entering an area of ploughed ground. Upon entering the uneven terrain, the main wheels struck the soil, causing the aircraft to pitch forward onto its nose. This impact resulted in damage to the propeller, the left wing, and the left main wheel. Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's handling during the landing, and the pilot's experience. It was noted that the pilot had 169 total flying hours, though only 2 of those hours were logged on this specific aircraft type. The pilot identified that a lack of familiarity with the Rans S10 Sakota prevented a sufficiently rapid response to the wind's effect on the aircraft.