What happened
On 8 November 2009, a Vans RV-7A, registration G-MROD, was performing a private flight at Sittles Farm Strip in Lichfield, Staffordshire. The pilot was attempting to land on Runway 35, a grass strip measuring 450 metres in length.
During the approach, the pilot maintained a speed of approximately 70 mph, which was lower than the typical approach speed of 80 mph. As the aircraft reached an altitude of roughly 2 feet above the ground, approximately 20 metres from the start of the runway, the left wing dropped. This caused the left main wheel to contact the ground while the aircraft was in a nose-high attitude.
This contact induced a leftward yaw, causing the aircraft to depart the grass strip and enter a field of short standing crops. While the pilot managed to correct the yaw, the aircraft continued to travel parallel to the runway for about 70 metres. The nosewheel eventually dug into the soft earth, bringing the aircraft to an abrupt stop. The impact resulted in a bent nosewheel leg and a small nick to the propeller. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight parameters and the pilot's actions during the final stages of the landing. It was noted that the aircraft's stalling speed at its maximum weight is approximately 58 mph. The pilot acknowledged that the approach was flown too slowly and believed that the aircraft had likely entered a stall. Furthermore, the pilot reported that although the audio stall warning system was functional, he did not recall hearing the alert during the approach.