What happened
On 9 March 2014, a Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, registration G-FAOH, was performing a private landing on Runway 26 at Hunsdon Airfield in Essex. The weather conditions were generally good, with winds recorded at nearby Stansted Airport at 9 knots from 180°.
As the aircraft approached the runway for touchdown, it encountered a gust of wind that caused the left wing to lift. This disturbance led to a loss of control, with the pilot unable to prevent the aircraft from rolling to the right. The pilot also noted a sensation of sudden, heavy sinking. Consequently, the aircraft struck the ground before reaching the runway threshold and came to rest in an inverted position. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries, and while the aircraft suffered substantial damage, no fire occurred.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight conditions and the sequence of events leading to the impact. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating under fine weather conditions with a light surface wind. The physical evidence and pilot reports indicated that the aircraft's path was disrupted by a sudden atmospheric disturbance just prior to touchdown.