What happened
On 25 July 2000, a Reims Cessna F406, registration G-TURF, was conducting a cargo flight from Kirkwall to Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Isles. While executing the LOCDME approach to Runway 09, the pilot encountered weather conditions including a visibility of 2,300 metres and a broken cloud base at 300 feet.
As the aircraft descended, the pilot noted intermittent contact with the surface at 900 feet amsl. Upon reaching the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), the pilot maintained level flight for a short period. The aircraft was observed to be positioned slightly to the right of the runway centerline. In an effort to land, the pilot reduced thrust, set the propellers to maximum RPM, and extended full flaps. During this maneuver, the pilot lowered the nose and banked left to intercept the centerline.
As the aircraft moved back toward the centerline, a right bank was applied. During this correction, the aircraft experienced a rapid roll to the right. Despite the application of full left aileron, the right wingtip made contact with the runway surface. Following the touchdown, the pilot applied maximum reverse thrust but could not prevent the aircraft from veering right and exiting the runway. The aircraft eventually stopped on the grass, having struck a runway edge light.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight parameters, the weather conditions at the time of the approach, and the physical state of the aircraft. The inspection of G-TURF revealed that the outer 1.5 feet of the right wingtip, located outboard of the aileron, had been bent upwards at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. There were no injuries to the crew during the event.