Pilot landed in Norfolk cornfield as passenger became 'increasingly distressed', report finds
The Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen had been trying to land at Northrepps Airfield near Cromer in Norfolk in June 2024 when it hit turbulence.
During a second attempt at landing, the plane landed heavily on its nose wheel before having to take off again.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch reveals that the experienced pilot then discovered the rudder pedals were jammed.
As his passenger was becoming "increasingly distressed", he opted to bring the plane down in a nearby cornfield instead, hoping to make a softer landing.
The AAIB report said: "The pilot elected to conduct an immediate precautionary landing on the 'softest soil and springiest crop' that he could find.
"He identified a corn field nearby and landed aligned with the furrows, using full flap for the approach."
The plane had travelled from Nottingham City Airport and the pilot was familiar with the airstrip near Cromer, having landed there 'many times' before, but this time he encountered turbulence while coming into land.
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A pilot and passenger escaped with only minor injuries after their plane flipped over during an emergency landing in a field, a report has found. The Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen had been trying to land at Northrepps Airfield near Cromer in Norfolk in June 2024 when it hit turbulence. During a second attempt at landing, the plane landed heavily on its nose wheel before having to take off again. A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch reveals that the experienced pilot then discovered the rudder pedals were jammed. As his passenger was becoming "increasingly distressed", he opted to bring the plane down in a nearby cornfield instead, hoping to make a softer landing. The AAIB report said: "The pilot elected to conduct an immediate precautionary landing on the 'softest soil and springiest crop' that he could find. "He identified a corn field nearby and landed aligned with the furrows, using full flap for the approach." The plane had travelled from Nottingham City Airport and the pilot was familiar with the airstrip near Cromer, having landed there 'many times' before, but this time he encountered turbulence while coming into land.
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