What happened
On 22 August 2009, a Rans S6-ESD XL Coyote II, registration G-MZBD, was performing a private flight at Felixkirk Airfield in North Yorkshire. While attempting a full-flap approach to Runway 15, the pilot encountered difficulties during the landing phase. The runway, which measures 500 metres in length, has a grass surface. During the landing, the aircraft touched down significantly long on the runway. The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it exited the runway perimeter, resulting in a collision with a boundary fence and a hedge. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the environmental conditions and the pilot's operational experience. At the time of the occurrence, wind conditions were variable, ranging between 220° and 270° at speeds of 5 to 10 knots. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flying history, noting that while the commander held a Private Pilot’s Licence, they had only 344 total flying hours, with only 3 hours specifically on this aircraft type. Furthermore, flight time had been minimal in the preceding months, with only 4 hours flown in the last 90 days.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the long landing on the grass runway.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific aircraft type contributed to the event.
- A lack of familiarity with the grass surface characteristics of the airfield was also a contributing factor.