What happened
On 25 August 2016, an Ikarus C22, registration D-MNBU, was participating in a competition at Popham Airfield in Hampshire. During the approach to Runway 08, the pilot attempted a "spot turn," a specific maneuver involving the intentional shutdown of the Rotax 912 UL engine at altitude to glide the aircraft toward the landing site.
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were reported as clear with a temperature of 18°C and a light 5-knot wind. The grass runway surface was noted to be soft. As the aircraft approached the runway, the airspeed decreased excessively, leading to a stall. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground, causing damage to the nosewheel and the left main landing gear. The pilot sustained minor injuries during the event.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators reviewed the circumstances of the flight, the environmental conditions at Popham Airfield, and the specific flight profile of the engine-off maneuver. The pilot, who had 40 hours of total flying experience, provided details regarding the loss of airspeed during the glide phase of the maneuver.