Accident Details
On 10 August 2020 at 1515 UTC, an Aeroprakt A22-LS Foxbat, registration G-FXBA, was involved in a landing accident at Holmbeck Farm Airfield in Buckinghamshire. The aircraft, manufactured in 2018 (serial number LAA 317B-15534), was powered by a single Rotax 912iS piston engine. The flight was private, with only the pilot on board. The pilot, aged 56, held a National Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 335 total flying hours, including 166 hours on the accident aircraft type. Weather conditions were good, with a light wind from the southeast and a temperature of 33°C.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was landing on Runway 11. At an altitude of approximately 5–10 ft above ground level, the aircraft unexpectedly climbed about 10 ft. It then descended rapidly, landed firmly, and bounced before touching down again. During the second landing, the aircraft contacted the ground on its nosewheel, which collapsed and dug into the grass. The aircraft pitched forward and came to rest inverted. The pilot isolated the aircraft's systems and exited unhurt with assistance from onlookers.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot stated that he made no conscious control input during the unexpected climb. Witnesses suggested he may have instinctively pitched the nose down to counteract it. The pilot believed the climb was caused by a gust of wind or a thermal effect due to the high temperature. He noted that the hard landing resulted from his failure to initiate a go-around promptly in the short time available, and he added that he has learned to be prepared to initiate a go-around at the first sign of anything untoward.
The nature of damage included the nosewheel, propeller, wings, and tailplane.