What happened
On 10 September 2000, a Rans S6-ESD, registration G-MZEN, was performing a private flight approaching a farm strip located in Stock, Essex. The weather conditions at the time were clear with fine visibility, a temperature of 22°C, and a light breeze.
As the aircraft was on short final approach, it began to sink unexpectedly. The pilot attempted to arrest this descent by applying power, but the aircraft struck the ground on its mainwheels and bounced back into the air. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power and raised the aircraft's nose; however, the aircraft yawed to the left. This maneuver resulted in a collision with a hedge, after which the aircraft came to rest across a ditch running parallel to the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the propeller, engine cowling, and nosewheel sustained damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions and the pilot's response to the aircraft's behavior. The approach path to the farm strip involves crossing a field and a brook immediately before reaching the runway threshold. The pilot identified that the sink experienced during the final stages of the approach was likely caused by a combination of two factors: a loss of headwind due to sheltering from nearby high ground, and differential heating between the field and the brook.
Findings
- The unexpected sink during the approach was likely due to localized atmospheric changes, specifically differential heating between the brook and the field alongside a reduction in headwind.
- The pilot failed to recognize these environmental factors in a timely manner.
- The pilot's attempt to over-correct the aircraft's descent led to a loss of control.