What happened
On 4 July 2004, a Vans RV-4, registration G-BZPH, was conducting a private flight from an Oxfordshire farm strip to Lundy Island to attend a flying event. Upon arrival, the pilot performed an orbit to evaluate the landing conditions and observe another aircraft's approach. After determining the surface was suitable, the pilot commenced an approach to Runway 24.
The aircraft touched down at approximately 55 mph near the start of the strip, though positioned to the right of the center of the landing area. While the initial portion of the landing roll was uphill and relatively smooth, the aircraft encountered much rougher terrain as it reached the middle of the strip. This uneven surface triggered a series of increasingly severe bounces. The pilot considered aborting the landing with a go-around but decided against it due to the limited remaining runway length and the risk of the propeller striking the ground. During the subsequent oscillations, the main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide to a halt. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation examined the condition of the Lundy Island landing strip and the pilot's approach. At the time of the accident, the white marker posts defining the strip width only covered the southern 200 metres of the runway, meaning the initial touchdown area was unmarked and appeared wider than it actually was. This lack of markings contributed to the pilot landing on the right side of the strip, where the ground was more uneven.
Discrepancies were noted between the pilot's account and a ground observer's report. While the pilot believed the touchdown occurred near the threshold, the observer believed the aircraft touched down further down the strip at a higher speed. However, the investigation noted that the observer's perspective was influenced by the fact that the accident aircraft was carrying two occupants and landed on the right side of the strip, whereas other aircraft observed that day were flying solo and landing on the left.
Findings
- The landing strip surface is known to be variable, with descriptions ranging from smooth to rough with rocks and rabbit holes.
- The lack of runway markers for the first half of the strip made it difficult for the pilot to identify the precise landing area.
- The pilot was unaware of the specific severity of the rough ground located at the apex of the strip during the approach.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the engine mount, firewall, forward fuselage skins, and both landing gear.