What happened
On 24 May 2006, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-OSFC, was conducting a navigation training flight when the crew was advised of changing wind conditions at Stapleford Aerodrome. Initially, the wind was reported from 270º at 15 kt, prompting the instructor to direct the student to approach Runway 28. However, as the wind shifted to 240º at 20 kt, the instructor decided to switch the approach to Runway 22. During the final approach, the instructor instructed the student to maintain a speed of 70 kt.
At approximately 100 ft above ground level and 300 m from the runway, the aircraft experienced a sudden right roll, yaw, and pitch-down motion. The instructor took control, applied full power, and attempted to recover. Despite these efforts, the aircraft struck the ground nose-first approximately 200 m short of Runway 22. The impact caused the aircraft to slide 25 m along the ground before stopping upright. The impact resulted in no injuries to the two crew members, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engine, propeller, nose, and wingtips, and the fuselage fractured behind the rear cabin bulkhead.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the flight history and meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. An aftercast from the Met Office indicated significant convective activity, including showers and cumulonimbus clouds, over the region. The investigation also considered the impact of local terrain and structures on airflow.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in gusty and unstable atmospheric conditions.
- The instructor believed the loss of control was caused by windshear or a downdraft resulting from airflow over nearby trees and hangars, which induced a right-wing stall and subsequent spin.
- The use of lap and diagonal harnesses prevented serious injury to the occupants.