What happened
On 21 September 2003, a Steen Skybolt, registration G-BRIS, was conducting a private circuit practice flight at Eggesford Airfield in Devon. The pilot had previously flown from Exeter Airport, where the wind conditions were reported as 08 knots. Upon arriving at Eggesford, the pilot noted similar wind conditions and completed an initial landing on Runway 11 without incident.
Following a taxi back to the runway threshold, the pilot attempted a subsequent circuit. During the final approach, the pilot noted an increase in the crosswind component. The aircraft approached the threshold at a speed slightly higher than the intended 70 knots, resulting in the aircraft bouncing three times on the grass runway. During these bounces, the aircraft drifted downwind onto the mown grass verge. As the pilot attempted to correct the drift using right rudder and braking, the left wing tip struck a boundary hedge. The momentum caused the aircraft to swing into a gateway, where it came to rest in a nose-down position. The pilot was able to evacuate the aircraft via the canopy without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wind conditions at both Exeter and Eggesford, noting the elevation difference between the two locations. It was established that the wind at the accident site was gusting to approximately 20 knots. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making regarding the crosswind component and the landing technique used during the bounced approach.