What happened
On 19 April 2018, a Gulfstream AA-5B Tiger, registration G-BJAJ, was conducting a private flight from Lower Upham Airfield to Thruxton Airfield. The pilot was operating the aircraft from the right-hand seat for the first time, with the intention of gaining experience for future flights with a syndicate member. An experienced pilot accompanied the commander in the left-hand seat.
During the final approach to Runway 25 at Thruxton, the pilot found the flight dynamics unusual due to his position in the right seat. While both occupants believed the flightpath was appropriate, the pilot became preoccupied with managing the controls with his right hand. This distraction led to a failure to properly monitor the airspeed indicator. Upon crossing the runway threshold, the pilot noticed a loss of speed and attempted to correct the situation by lowering the nose and increasing engine power. This maneuver caused the nosewheel and propeller to strike the runway surface. The aircraft bounced following the impact, but the pilot was able to regain control and taxi the aircraft to the apron.
There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and a bent nose leg, with potential shock-loading to the engine.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the pilot's transition to the right-hand seat and the sequence of events during the approach. The investigation established that the pilot's focus was diverted by the physical difficulty of manipulating the control column from the non-standard position. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making regarding the need for instructor assistance during this specific flight profile.