What happened
On 7 July 2013, a Savannah Jabiru(5), registration G-CSUE, was conducting a private flight from a rectangular grass airfield located at Menaglaze, Bodmin Moor. The airfield featured a row of poplar saplings along its southern boundary. The pilot intended to perform a short local flight before returning to the same field.
During the return to the airfield, the pilot executed a final approach at 50 mph with the first stage of flaps deployed. As the aircraft crossed the southern boundary of the field, the airspeed decreased to 40 mph. At this moment, the right wing made contact with the top of a poplar tree. The impact caused the aircraft to land heavily, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear. Following the impact, the pilot successfully isolated the fuel and electrical systems and exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The weather was reported as good, with a light 10-knot wind from the north. The investigation noted that the landing roll required was approximately 50 meters, making the touchdown point critical due to the presence of trees at the field's edge. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the firewall, propeller, landing gear, and both wings.