A light aircraft that ended up upside down at Sandown Airport may have bounced on landing because of uneven ground, according to findings released by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
The incident occurred on 22nd August, when a single-seater Starlet SA500 aircraft, registration G-CLNP, overturned at the Isle of Wight airfield at around 13:40, prompting a response from emergency services.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the private aircraft was believed to have been visiting the Island for a day trip when the accident happened.
Initial reports suggested that a strong gust of wind had caught the aircraft’s wing shortly after landing, causing it to overturn. However, the AAIB has now revealed that the aircraft bounced following an otherwise normal approach to Sandown Airport, possibly because of the undulating ground.
This left the plane airborne at low speed before it touched down again and veered first to the right and then to the left.
The aircraft subsequently left the grass runway and travelled onto rough ground alongside it, where its right wing struck the ground.
The impact caused the plane to swing around and tip onto its back.
Police, firefighters and paramedics attended the airport following the crash, with the pilot managing to escape from the aircraft without assistance. The pilot sustained minor injuries, including cuts and bruising, and was assessed by the ambulance service.
The AAIB has classified the incident as a ‘record-only’ investigation.
