A PILOT and passenger both escaped unhurt from a crash when a sudden landing in a field backfired.

The Skyranger 912(2) was travelling from Eshott, in Northumberland, to Little Gransden, near Cambridge, on July 5 this year when the pilot, a 51-year-old man, decided to turn the aircraft around and return to Durham because of a low cloud covering.

However, clouds to the north had quickly descended, forcing the pilot to “divert immediately” and identify a field in Filey as a safe place to land at 5.15pm.

A field investigation compiled by the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) said: “At this stage he decided to divert immediately but the available airfields were not appropriate due to their elevation and the cloud base.

“He decided to perform a precautionary landing in a field and after considering all options chose what he perceived to be a stubble field.

“This was in fact a standing crop and, on landing, the aircraft sank into the crop, causing it to roll over.

“Both occupants were suspended by their full harnesses but then escaped uninjured.”

The investigation found that, prior to take-off, the pilot considered that the weather forecast for the coming two days was unfavourable and this influenced his decision to get back to his home airfield.

He considered the weather as “not ideal” but also thought that it would clear during the flight.

In addition, he considered that the lower light levels and different appearance of the field from the air may have influenced the mis-identification of a suitable field for a precautionary landing.

A spokesman for the AAIB said: “This accident highlights the need for careful weather and diversion planning when undertaking a cross-country flight.

“CAA Safety Sense Leaflet No 23, ‘Pilots – It’s Your Decision’ provides useful information on factors which may affect pilot decision making.”