What happened
On 16 February 2018, an Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo, registration G-OSPH, was engaged in a solo training flight at Membury Airfield, Berkshire. The student pilot was performing practice circuits involving glide approaches to Runway 23. After successfully completing three circuits, the pilot landed the aircraft for a fourth time. Following a standard touchdown, a sudden gust of wind lifted the aircraft back into the air.
In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot applied a pitch correction that was too significant. This resulted in the aircraft striking the runway on its nosewheel, initiating a sequence of bounces. The pilot then attempted a go-around procedure; however, during this maneuver, the aircraft drifted left of the runway surface and collided with trees located adjacent to the airfield.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the mechanical state of the aircraft following the impact. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the nose landing gear, both wings, and the right tailplane. Additionally, the engine was found to have sustained shock-loading. The pilot, who held a student licence and had 79 total flying hours, noted that the accident might have been avoided had a decision to abort the landing and perform a go-around been made earlier in the sequence.
Findings
- A wind gust caused the aircraft to become airborne immediately after touchdown.
- An over-correction in pitch during the subsequent bounce led to the nosewheel strike.
- The aircraft departed the runway to the left during the attempted go-around, leading to the collision with trees.