Synopsis
During an attempted landing on a grass runway at a private site in Cloongoonagh, County Mayo, Ireland, the pilot of an Aeroprakt A-22L2 microlight aircraft elected to perform a go-around after reporting a sudden drop in height. As engine power was increased, the aircraft veered left and impacted a hedgerow beside the runway, coming to rest in an adjacent field. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured and exited the aircraft normally. There was no fire.
History of the Flight
Earlier on the day of the accident, the pilot flew the aircraft from Cloongoonagh to Tibohine Airfield, County Roscommon, where he conducted two local sightseeing flights with friends. He then departed alone for the return flight to Cloongoonagh. Approaching the runway threshold in the 04 direction at a height of approximately 20 feet, the pilot reported a sudden drop in height. He applied power and right rudder to initiate a go-around. The left wing appeared to drop, and the aircraft veered sharply left, striking a hedgerow that ran parallel to the left side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest on the far side of the hedgerow, facing back toward it. The pilot, secured by a four-point harness, stated he was uninjured.
Aircraft Information
The Aeroprakt A-22L2 (registration EI-HNC, serial number 469) is a two-seat, high-wing microlight with a metal frame and fabric-covered wings. It is powered by one Rotax 912 UL engine (80 BHP) driving a three-blade fixed-pitch propeller. The aircraft features a fixed tricycle landing gear with a 1.71 m track width. The maximum take-off weight is 472.5 kg. The flight permit was valid until 19 May 2025. Total airframe time was 1,358 hours and 15 minutes. A ballistic parachute recovery system was installed but not deployed.
Runway Information
The private airstrip at Cloongoonagh was grass-covered, approximately 254 m long and 4.3 m wide, oriented 04/22. The approach in the 04 direction crossed overhead electrical cables with warning markers, located about 78 m before the threshold. A hedgerow with trees was situated roughly 9 m left of the runway edge. A single-wire electric fence ran along the right side. The runway sloped upward for the first 150 m, gaining about 4 m elevation, then sloped down for the remaining 100 m. The threshold elevation was about 96 m AMSL. The site was unlicensed.
Damage
The left wing sustained significant impact damage near mid-span and at the leading edge near the tip. The right wing was distorted near its root. All three propeller blades were broken. The nose landing gear leg was bent, and a rear left organic glass panel was fractured. The hedgerow sustained minor damage.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 58, held a Private Pilot Licence (Microlight) issued by the Irish Aviation Authority. He had 566 total hours, with 34 hours on type. He reported the approach speed was 85 km/h with full flaps. He attributed the sudden drop in height to wind shear. He noted he had practiced go-arounds on the aircraft but not at this site. He had first landed the aircraft at Cloongoonagh on 1 June 2024 and reported no prior issues.