What happened
On 9 May 2008, a Streak Shadow, registration G-CBGI, departed a farm strip near Corsham for a private flight to Glastonbury and back. Although the pilot had checked the weather forecast earlier in the day, the flight encountered sudden, severe weather near Radstock on the return leg. The pilot observed lightning and heavy rain, prompting a decision to divert and perform a precautionary landing.
A field south of the village of Hinton Charterhouse was selected for the landing. While the initial stages of the circuit were completed without issue, the light levels dropped rapidly due to approaching storm clouds. As the aircraft approached the field, the pilot realized the aircraft was too deep into the landing area and noticed a hedge approaching. During the landing attempt, the pilot flared the aircraft too high, leading to a heavy impact with the ground. The aircraft subsequently cartwheeled and came to rest upside down.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was operating under a Private Pilot’s Licence with 124 total flying hours. The passenger sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the wreckage easily, while the pilot suffered serious chest injuries and had to be extracted through a broken canopy. Emergency services responded to a call made via the pilot's mobile phone.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the sudden onset of a thunderstorm and the resulting loss of visibility.
- The rapid deterioration of light made it difficult for the pilot to accurately judge the aircraft's height during the flare.
- The heavy landing and subsequent cartwheel were a direct result of the difficult approach conditions.