What happened
On 10 March 2015, a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-CBOP, was conducting a private flight at Oxenhope Airfield in West Yorkshire. During the initial approach to Runway 29, the pilot performed a go-around because thermal activity had caused the aircraft to remain too high over the runway threshold.
On the subsequent approach, which featured a 12-knot crosswind from the right, the aircraft made contact with the runway on its main wheels. At the moment of touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the aircraft to drift toward the left and the nose to drop. Upon impact with the ground, the nose landing gear failed, leading the propeller to strike the surface and the aircraft to overturn onto its back. The pilot, who was secured by a lap and diagonal harness, escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of the landing and the mechanical failure of the landing gear. The damage sustained by the Jabiru UL-450 included a bent nose landing gear, damage to the lower front fuselage at the gear attachment point, a damaged front floor, a damaged propeller, and a cracked side rear window.