What happened
On 1 January 2010, a flight involving an I.C.P - MXP 740 SAVANNAH, registration EI-DKB, resulted in an accident at a private grass airfield in Ardfert, Co. Kerry. The flight was a local pleasure flight conducted under favorable weather conditions with light winds.
After completing several circuits, the pilot-in-command, who was also an owner of the aircraft, switched seats to allow a second pilot to operate the aircraft from the left-hand seat. During the landing phase of this circuit, the handling pilot performed an incorrect flare. This maneuver caused the aircraft to enter a low-speed stall while in close proximity to the ground. The pilot-in-command was unable to intervene in time to prevent the impact. Consequently, the nose wheel struck the ground first, causing the nose gear leg to fracture and separate from the airframe. The aircraft sustained extensive damage, including significant impact to the undercarriage and fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the qualifications of the crew and the technical state of the aircraft. It was established that while the handling pilot held a valid UK Private Pilot Licence (PPLSEP), they did not possess a specific microlight rating required by Irish regulations. Furthermore, the pilot had no prior experience flying this specific aircraft type.
Technical review of the aircraft, a high-wing microlight with a Jabiru 2200 A engine, showed it had a valid Permit-to-Fly. However, investigators noted discrepancies in the aircraft's historical record-keeping, specifically that logbook entries prior to November 2008 were not properly maintained.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an incorrect flare during the landing sequence.
- A significant contributing factor was the lack of specific training and proficiency regarding the aircraft type.
- The handling pilot was operating without the necessary microlight rating required for flight in Ireland.
- The absence of an instructor meant there was no qualified person present to monitor handling characteristics or provide corrective inputs during the unfamiliar maneuvers.