What happened
On 11 April 1999, a Taylorcraft BC12-65, registration G-BPHP, was performing a private flight at Wellesbourne Mountford Airport in Warwickshire. During the approach to Runway 23, the pilot received information that the surface wind was 270° at 10 knots.
Following a standard approach, the aircraft touched down on the runway. Shortly after contact with the surface, the starboard wing lifted. Although the pilot attempted to correct the aircraft's attitude, the plane drifted toward the left edge of the runway. In an attempt to maintain control, the pilot applied the brakes, which resulted in the aircraft nosed over onto its back.
Emergency services from the aerodrome were alerted by Air Traffic Control and arrived at the scene promptly. The pilot was able to unfasten his harness and exit the aircraft through the port-side door without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the nose section, the tail fin, and the rudder.
Findings
The investigation established that the accident was caused by the combination of the wind direction and the application of brakes following a leftward swing of the aircraft. This sequence of events led to the tail lifting and the nose digging into the runway surface, ultimately causing the aircraft to overturn.