What happened
On 25 August 2018, an Ikarus C42 FB80 Bravo, registration G-SAMC, was conducting a private flight from Membury Airfield to Compton Abbas Airfield. The pilot, who was relatively inexperienced with this specific airfield, joined the microlight circuit amidst high levels of traffic. During the approach, the pilot encountered several challenges, including difficulty tracking other aircraft in the circuit and a high workload due to the busy environment.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot received wind information reported as "north-west 10 kt." The pilot failed to mentally translate this to a compass heading of 315°, leading to an underestimation of the crosswind strength. During the landing attempt, the aircraft touched down, lifted off, and subsequently bounced a second time. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot applied power, but the right wing began to lift. The pilot then attempted a go-around by applying full power and right rudder; however, the low airspeed resulted in a heavy descent. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose landing gear, main landing gear, and left wing.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances leading to the heavy landing, focusing on the pilot's workload and the environmental factors at Compton Abbas. The investigation looked into the radio communication methods used at the airfield, specifically how wind direction is reported via a radio operator rather than a wind direction dial. The investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience level and the sequence of events during the final approach and landing phase.