Changes made at Somerset airfield after plane crashes into HGV during landing
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch have looked into the incident, which happened back in March
An investigation's concluded it would have been 'unlikely' for the pilot of an unlicenced light aircraft coming in to land to have seen a HGV which it crashed in to.
Back in March, the 81-year-old pilot suffered minor injuries, whilst his passenger had to have surgery on his wrist after the incident at Henstridge Airfield.
The plane had taken off at midday for a short local flight before it was planned to take off towards Dunkeswell, later in the afternoon.
On their way back to the airport, the report revealed the pilot said he was 'aware' of the road - having flown in and out of the airport since 2006 - but had never seen any vehicle traffic on his final approach.
Late into its final approach, the HGV was struck by the aircraft's wingtip as it was crossing the undershoot.
It was found the plane was on a 'standard 3 degree approach', during the incident, back on March 2nd.
Damage was caused to the plane's wings, rudder, engine propeller, engine cowling, engine mounting, and firewall - with the canopy completely destroyed.
A roll bar behind the seats of the aircraft kept the two occupants safe, before they were taken to hospital by ambulance.
The airfield's now made changes to the height planes approach in at to stop it from happening again.
The operator of the airfield decided to displace the threshold of the runway by an extra 100 metres, which, if this was implemented at the time of the accident, would have meant a 7 metre clearance above the HGV.
Writing their conclusions, the findings from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: "The pilot recalled making a normal powered approach to Runway 06 at Henstridge Airfield.
"The aircraft struck the top of the HGV and was therefore approximately 4 m above ground and commensurate with a 3° approach. The road converged with the runway centreline at a shallow angle and this, combined with the low wing configuration of the aircraft, meant it was unlikely the pilot would have been able to see the HGV during the approach. As the aircraft crossed the road the pilot saw the HGV very close and had no time to take avoiding action.
"The aircraft struck the HGV and came down inverted on the edge of the road. The roll bar in the aircraft protected the occupants as the aircraft inverted and both were able to exit the aircraft with the assistance of bystanders.
"The aircraft struck an HGV in the latter stages of an approach to Runway 06 at Henstridge Airfield and came down inverted on a road short of the runway. Both those on board were able to escape the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger suffered a broken wrist.
"The Safety Action taken by the airfield operator will make an approach to Runway 06 compliant with the obstacle clearance provisions of CAP168 even though, as an unlicensed airfield, this is not a requirement."
You can read the full report here.