Incident Overview
On 26 June 2014 at 1032 hrs, an EV-97 TeamEurostar UK (registration G-CDNI) experienced a landing gear collapse during landing roll at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire. The training flight, with one pilot and one passenger on board, had performed a normal approach to Runway 03 at 60 mph with two stages of flap selected. The pilot reported that the flare was high, resulting in a heavy landing. After touchdown, the aircraft was slowed to taxi speed, but after taxiing approximately 100 yards, the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wingtip contacted the runway surface, and the aircraft swung 90°, coming to rest on the edge of the runway. Both occupants were uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a single-engine EV-97 TeamEurostar UK, was manufactured in 2005 and powered by one Rotax 912-UL piston engine. The commander, aged 59, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 495 hours total flying experience, with 62 hours on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 59 hours, including 21 hours in the last 28 days.
Damage
The incident caused damage to the left main landing gear, left wing tip, and tail bumper.
Pilot's Remarks
The pilot believed that he misjudged the flare and subsequently failed to take appropriate corrective action. He attributed this to confusion between which hand was on the control column and which was on the throttle, noting that in this aircraft the arrangement was opposite to that of the aircraft he normally flew on training flights.