What happened
On 22 August 1998, a Streak Shadow SA, registration G-SNEV, was performing a private flight at Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire. During the approach to Runway 24, the pilot encountered a surface wind of 270°/20 kt. To account for the crosswind component and potential turbulence, the pilot maintained an airspeed higher than standard until the flare maneuver.
As the aircraft entered the flare, it experienced a slight ballooning effect before descending abruptly from a height of approximately five feet. Upon touchdown, the right wheel made contact with the runway, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear leg. This impact caused the underbelly fuel tank to strike the ground and rupture. There were no injuries to the two occupants, and both were able to evacuate the aircraft safely. No fire occurred following the fuel tank breach.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions and the aircraft's flight path during the landing phase. Investigators noted that Runway 24 is positioned in the lee of several large hangars when winds are from the west. The pilot suggested that the primary factor in the sudden descent was a wind rotor effect, which created turbulence over the runway surface.