Accident Details
On 6 July 2010 at 1000 UTC, a Vans RV-9 (registration G-CFED), powered by a single Lycoming YO-320-D1A piston engine and manufactured in 2008, was involved in an accident at White Fen Farm, Cambridgeshire. The aircraft was being operated on a private flight with only the pilot on board. The pilot, aged 57 and holding a Private Pilot’s Licence, had accumulated 141 total flying hours, of which 81 were on type. His recent flying experience included 3 hours in the last 90 days and 1 hour in the last 28 days.
Flight and Landing
The pilot conducted an uneventful local flight to refresh his skills after a month without flying. He returned to the private farm strip at White Fen Farm and landed the aircraft on Runway 18. The weather was clear with a 5 kt breeze from the south-west.
Accident Sequence
During the landing rollout, as the aircraft decelerated to a safe taxi speed, the pilot noticed that the left wingtip was brushing the crops in the field adjacent to the runway. Before he could respond, the aircraft yawed abruptly to the left. The main gear wheels dropped into a furrow, and the aircraft nosed over, resulting in significant structural damage.
Damage and Injuries
The nature of damage included damage to the right wing, right main gear leg and fairing, right wheel, and engine mounting frame. The pilot was uninjured.
Pilot’s Account
The pilot candidly stated that lack of attention to the aircraft’s position relative to the runway had resulted in the accident.