History of the Flight
On 2 December 2014, a Diamond DA 42 Twin Star (registration G-CTCF) was conducting an instructional approach to Runway 08 at Bournemouth Airport, Dorset. The surface wind was from 010° at 17 knots, gusting to 27 knots. The student pilot flew the approach but did not fully remove the drift, resulting in a slight crab angle at touchdown.
Immediately after landing and before the aircraft had fully settled, the instructor sensed that the aircraft was not responding as expected to the student’s inputs. The instructor assumed control and noticed the right wing dropping. Despite applying full left aileron and right rudder, the wing contacted the runway surface. The aircraft came to a stop on the grass immediately to the left of the runway. The instructor shut down the engine and ordered an evacuation. None of the three crew members (the only occupants) was injured.
Damage and Inspection
The aircraft sustained damage to the right main landing gear, right wing control surfaces, tail skid, propeller, and gearbox. An inspection by the maintenance organisation revealed that the drag strut on the right main landing gear had failed and detached from the main leg, causing the right landing gear to collapse. The affected components were removed and sent to the aircraft manufacturer for further examination.