Corporate flight crew reported coming into contact with tree tops while on final approach in night VMC conditions at a tower controlled airport. The aircraft landed safely and reported minor damage to underside of the flaps along with markings on the inboard leading edges.
Synopsis
Corporate flight crew reported coming into contact with tree tops while on final approach in night VMC conditions at a tower controlled airport. The aircraft landed safely and reported minor damage to underside of the flaps along with markings on the inboard leading edges.
Narrative
Returning to home base 13.5 hours after duty start at XA00 from ZZZ1 VFR. I was flying as the PIC from the left seat. Weather was clear. We picked up 2 passengers at ZZZ1 for a departure for ZZZ2. Wait approximately 7 hours and then return to ZZZ1 to drop pax and then empty to DXR. We ate lunch at a local dinner near the ZZZ2 airport at approximately XG00. There was no opportunity nap. Return to ZZZ1 was uneventful as was the VFR departure back to DXR. ATIS reported winds calm 8 degrees C and CLR at the field using runway 26. We requested runway 8 and were denied due to other inbound traffic. We entered a left downwind for 26 and configured normally. We did observe a 30 knot crosswind out of the south at 1000 ft AGL and adjusted our pattern accordingly. I was flying the visual approach with a highly experienced copilot in the right seat but new to DXR. We turned a 3 mile final fully configured and everything looked normal. The wind persisted at near 30 knots till close to 300 ft AGL and then dropped of. We crossed the first obstruction light 900ft MSL and slightly offset to the right of center-line. We were level with the second off the left wing but slightly before reaching the second light the landing lights illuminated tree tops and we heard some popping noises as we brushed the tree tops. There was no alteration of flight path or any feeling we had struck anything and continued the approach to a full stop landing on 26 and taxied back to the ramp. We did not mention anything to tower because we believed the contact was so light there wouldn't even be evidence of it. Upon inspection after landing we found minor markings on the inboard leading edges of both and minor damage to the underside of the flaps. The incident was then immediately reported to the management company.
Second reporter narrative
On short final for runway 26. No VASI or glide path guidance. Field winds were reported light. A few thousand above the field were from the west about 30 knots. Captain briefed for a visual approach. There's obstructions and towers on final to runway 26. After clearing the towers and obstructions we continued the path to the runway. At short final suddenly the tree top appeared illuminated by the landing lights. Too late for evasive action. The aircraft skimmed the tree top and we continued to a normal landing. Post landing inspection revealed some light scraping damage to the aircraft underside and flaps. The airport authority admitted that 2 previous aircraft had similar damage.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.