What happened
On 25 August 1998, a Steen Skybolt, registration G-BIMN, was performing a private flight when it encountered difficulties during the final approach to Runway 27 at Spanhoe, Northants. The weather conditions at the time featured good visibility and a light southwesterly surface wind.
As the aircraft reached the later stages of its approach, it entered a period of high-rate descent. The pilot attempted to compensate for this loss of altitude by increasing engine power, but the application of power proved insufficient to arrest the descent. Consequently, the aircraft struck the runway with significant force, resulting in substantial damage to the landing gear, which subsequently collapsed.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight conditions and the aircraft's performance during the descent. The pilot noted that the sudden increase in descent rate occurred during the approach phase and that the engine power was unable to counteract the downward momentum.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a sudden, high rate of descent during the final approach.
- The pilot was unable to recover the descent rate through power application.
- The heavy impact with the runway caused the landing gear to fail.
- The pilot suggested that windshear caused by trees bordering the landing area may have been a contributing factor to the descent.