What happened
On 16 August 2015, an Aeroprakt A22-L Foxbat, registration G-PHOX, was performing a private flight near Oldbury-on-Severn. Before attempting to land at a private airfield, the pilot overflew the site twice to ensure the runway was unobstructed. During the flare phase of the landing, the aircraft struck two sheep located on the airfield. The impact resulted in the death of one animal and caused the left main landing gear to detach from the airframe. Following the collision, the aircraft skidded across the ground supported only by the right main landing gear and the damaged nose landing gear before coming to a stop. The pilot, who sustained no injuries, was able to exit the aircraft through the standard door without difficulty.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the presence of livestock on the landing strip. The airfield in question is a meadow used for grazing sheep and is typically secured by an electric fence. However, at the time of the accident, the electric fence was not functioning. The investigation also looked into the pilot's arrival procedures, noting that the pilot had not contacted the landowner prior to landing, which deviated from his established routine.