AAIB investigation to Zenair CH 601X1 Zodiac, G-RWMW
Aircraft stalled on approach, private airstrip near Ayr, Ayrshire, 14 May 2014.
Summary:
皇冠体育app pilot was returning to the airstrip after a flight to Bute, about 28 nm away. A weather report, obtained from Prestwick ATC, gave a surface wind of 11 kt from 240掳 with scattered cloud and good visibility. 皇冠体育app temperature was 13掳C.
皇冠体育app airstrip was orientated 06/24 and located in a farm field, such that the longest landing distance available was about 300 m. It was situated amongst gently undulating terrain. 皇冠体育app aircraft was approaching to land in a south-westerly direction when the accident occurred. When the aircraft was on short finals at an estimated height of 70 ft, it experienced a sudden onset of turbulence, of a severity the pilot had not previously encountered. 皇冠体育app aircraft lost airspeed and, from the pilot鈥檚 report, appeared to have stalled, pitching to about 40掳 down and striking the ground approximately 100 m from the beginning of the airstrip.
皇冠体育app pilot and his passenger, who were both wearing full harnesses, sustained minor injuries. 皇冠体育app pilot reported that the cockpit had maintained its internal volume, and that the impact forces had been absorbed by crumpling of the fuselage structure from the firewall aft.
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