AAIB investigation to Jodel D112, G-BRCA
Hard landing and bounce leading to runway excursion, Marshill Farm, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 4 August 2019.
Summary:
Shortly after the aircraft departed Marsh Hill Farm Airstrip, the pilot realised he had left his car unlocked with the keys in view. He decided to return to lock his car. He levelled off at 600 ft and positioned for landing. Carburettor heat was selected ON but returned to OFF shortly after, when the aircraft was on it’s final approach. As the threshold hedge was crossed, ‘sink’ was apparent, and the pilot added power to counter it. The engine did not respond as quickly as normal and the aircraft landed “very hard” and bounced in to crops adjacent to the runway.
The pilot commented that the engine’s slow response may have been due to it not being fully up to temperature. It is also possible that it was due to carburettor icing as carburettor heat was only applied for a short period. Conditions at nearby Oxford Airport (temperature 20⁰ C, dew point 16⁰ C) were conducive to serious icing at descent power.
Download report: