Savannah Jabiru(5), G-CSUE, 7 July 2013
Savannah Jabiru(5), G-CSUE
Summary:
The pilot had departed from a grass field and had carried out a short local flight before returning to land. The field was roughly rectangular in shape, with some poplar saplings on its southern boundary, and measured 90 m in the northerly landing direction. The weather was good, with a light surface wind from the north at about 10 kt. The estimated landing roll was approximately 50 m and the aircraft needed to touch down at a specific point, which was critical when operating into the site.
The final approach was made at 50 mph with the first of two stages of flap selected. As the aircraft passed over the southern boundary of the field with the airspeed reducing to 40 mph, the pilot felt the right wing impact the top of a poplar tree. The aircraft landed heavily and the landing gear collapsed. The pilot isolated the fuel and the electrical systems before exiting the aircraft uninjured.
He considered that the cause of the accident was operating into a marginal site and becoming too low and slow on the approach.
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