A pilot has blamed becoming distracted as a contributing factor behind a crash landing at Beccles Airfield.
Four people were treated by the East of England Ambulance Service after a Piper light aircraft overshot the runway at the airfield, off Brock Road, near North Cove.
In a report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch covering the crash landing on June 29, the pilot said he became distracted on approach before noticing his speed was too fast.
READ MORE: Fire crews called to plane crash in North Cove near Beccles
READ MORE: Pilot’s overconfidence and lack of practice to blame for crash landing
“The pilot decided to continue the approach and the aircraft landed faster and deeper down the runway than intended,” the report said.
“They could not stop the aircraft before reaching the runway end and the aircraft continued into a hedgerow before coming to a complete stop.”
There were no significant injuries sustained by the four occupants but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
The AAIB said they had “taken away a number of learning points from the event, including to avoid distraction during a critical phase of flight” and that aborting the landing would have been safer.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel