Pilot blames wind turbine ‘turbulence’ after crash landing in Yorkshire Yorkshire News

His Piper PA-22-150 was damaged beyond repair after it skidded off the runway at Beverley Airfield in August 2021 and ended up in a field.

The 66-year-old man, who suffered minor injuries and was the only person on board, told the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) that he lost control after a “violent gust” of wind lifted the right wing.

The pilot stated that there was “turbulence caused by the wake” of a wind turbine, which is located about 1.4 km from the airfield.

But the researchers found that the aircraft would have to be within 1.3km of the nearest wind turbine at Beverley to be affected.

This is because the Civil Aviation Authority states that turbulence “might still be noticeable” when the aircraft is at a distance of 16 times the diameter of the turbine rotor.

While research published by the University of Liverpool stated that “turbulence should dissipate below perceptible levels” at a third of that distance.

In a report, AAIB said: “The available literature would suggest that the possibility of finding a wake turbulence from the wind farm at this airfield is remote.

“However, it cannot be completely ruled out.”

Airfield administrators told investigators that no other pilots had reported turbulence caused by the wind farm when they landed.

But the AAIB said anyone who believes they have been affected by wake turbulence from a wind turbine should contact the Civil Aviation Authority.

He added: “This will enable a more representative understanding of the problem and ensure that guidance for operating near a wind farm is based on both theoretical and practical knowledge.”