What happened
On 15 March 2025, a solo flight in a TOMARK Viper SD-4 RTC, registration EI-HMD, ended in an accident at Newcastle Aerodrome, Co. Wicklow. The pilot, who was performing circuit training to build familiarity with the aircraft type, was attempting a full-stop landing after completing nine successful touch-and-go maneuvers.
During the tenth approach, the aircraft experienced a hard touchdown. This initial impact caused the aircraft to bounce, followed by a second bounce where the aircraft pitched forward. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot applied back pressure on the control stick. However, the aircraft subsequently touched down nose-first. The impact caused the nose landing gear fork and wheel to separate from the airframe. Because the engine was still producing power, the rotating propeller struck the ground, causing further damage. The aircraft slid along the grass strip before coming to a halt. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation examined the aircraft's flight data, the site of the accident, and the pilot's actions. Investigators confirmed that the weather conditions were favorable, with light winds and high visibility. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting it had recently undergone an annual inspection and was operating well within its demonstrated wind limits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a hard landing that initiated a sequence of bounces.
- The aircraft's nose landing gear separated from the airframe following a nose-first touchdown.
- The propeller sustained damage due to ground contact while the engine was under power.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the forward undercarriage and engine cowling.
- While not a direct cause of this specific accident, investigators noted that the aerodrome's grass strip configuration on that day did not fully align with published AIP standards regarding obstacle-free areas.