What happened
On 3 August 1999, a Slingsby T67M, registration G-SFTZ, was conducting a private flight departing from and returning to Compton Abbas Airfield in Wiltshire. During the approach, the pilot elected to land on the southern portion of Runway 26, under the impression that the surface conditions there were smoother than the northern section of the runway.
At the time of the landing, weather conditions were generally favorable, though a south-south westerly wind was present at speeds between 10 and 15 knots. As the aircraft approached the ground, a crosswind component caused the left wing to lift. This movement resulted in the right wing tip making contact with the airfield surface. The subsequent landing was heavy, leading to the collapse of the nose gear.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board. However, the aircraft sustained significant damage, specifically to the propeller, the nose gear, and the engine, which suffered shockloading.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions, specifically the wind direction and the pilot's decision regarding the landing position on the runway.