What happened
On 26 November 2006, a Thruster T600N 450, registration G-ORUG, was conducting a private flight near Haile Fort, Humberside. After a 45-minute local flight, the pilot decided to practice cross-wind approaches along the coastline. While flying south parallel to the sea, the pilot lined up for a glide approach toward the beach, intending to descend to approximately 50 feet before applying power to climb away.
During this maneuver, the pilot misjudged the aircraft's altitude and landed on the sand. Although the initial touchdown appeared smooth, the aircraft continued to roll for about 50 feet. In an attempt to take off from the beach, the pilot applied full power, but the aircraft began yawing to the left and heading toward the sea. The pilot then throttled back to abort the takeoff. During this process, the nosewheel dug into the soft sand, causing the aircraft to flip over and come to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the subsequent inversion. The pilot reported that the descent height was miscalculated, a factor potentially made more difficult by fading light conditions. The investigation also looked into the mechanics of the aborted takeoff, noting that the aircraft's nosewheel became embedded in the sand during the deceleration.
Findings
- The pilot failed to correctly judge the aircraft's height during the approach to the beach.
- The pilot utilized poor technique for an aborted takeoff on a soft surface.
- The aircraft sustained structural damage to the left wing, a bent left wing lift-strut, and damage to the propeller and cockpit nacelle.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.