What happened
On 8 September 2009, a Reims Cessna F150M, registration G-BDFZ, was performing a private flight at Wombleton Airfield in North Yorkshire. During the landing phase on Runway 28, the aircraft was impacted by a gust of wind. This gust caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway and enter an adjacent ploughed field. As the nosewheel made contact with the soft soil, the aircraft pitched forward and became inverted. The pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal belt, escaped the incident without any injuries.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the environmental conditions at the time of the occurrence, noting that the wind was blowing from 200° at 12 kt. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience and the physical circumstances of the aircraft's contact with the ground.
Findings
- The aircraft's nosewheel dug into the earth of the ploughed field, which triggered the inversion.
- A gust of wind caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline.
- The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.