Accident Druine D.31 Turbulent G-ARBZ, Saturday 17 July 1999

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Date:	Saturday 17 July 1999
Time:	17:00
Type:	Druine D.31 Turbulent
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	G-ARBZ
MSN:	PFA 553
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Category:	Accident
Location:	East Mersea, Colchester, Essex - United Kingdom
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	White Waltham, Maidenhead, Berkshire (EGLM)
Destination airport:	East Mersea, Colchester, Essex
Investigating agency:	AAIB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
Written off (damaged beyond repair) 17 July 1999 when crashed at East Mersea, Colchester, Essex. According to the following extract from the official AAIB report into the accident:

"The pilot had planned a cross country flight from White Waltham airfield with the intention of landing in a field near East Mersea. The field was approximately 450 yards long and orientated east-west. The forecast meteorological conditions for the flight were CAVOK with a light southwesterly wind. The final stage of the approach to land in the field was over a set of telephone wires approximately 15 feet high. Because of the obstruction on the approach and the restricted landing distance the pilot elected to use a minimum safe approach speed of 55 kt. The pilot reported that from this stable approach condition the aircraft struck the ground heavily, in a three-point attitude, despite the application of full throttle and full aft stick. The pilot believed that a gust of wind from the rear of the aircraft caused a loss of airspeed and resulted in the aircraft impacting the ground."

The AAIB report notes that G-ARBZ was "destroyed". As a result the registration G-ARBZ was cancelled on 23 December 1999 upon C of A expiry.

Howwever, G-ARBZ has lived to fly again! It was sold on to new owners the same day (23 December 1999). After a protracted rebuild, the Turbulent flew again in 2006

Accident investigation: