What happened
On 29 September 2018, a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-CEOM, was conducting a private flight from Darley Moor Airfield to Cromer Airfield in Norfolk. During the pre-flight inspection at the departure airfield, the pilot noted that the main tyres appeared underinflated and adjusted the pressures from 20 psi to 25 psi. The flight proceeded without incident until the arrival at Cromer.
While approaching the grass Runway 22 at approximately 55 kt with full flaps, the aircraft touched down. Immediately upon contact with the ground, the aircraft veered toward the left and began a sideways skid. This movement resulted in the collapse of the nose and right landing gear legs. The aircraft eventually came to a halt at the edge of the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, wing, nose, and right landing gear.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the tyre pressures. Although the pilot had checked and increased the tyre pressures before departure, a post-accident inspection revealed that the left tyre had deflated. The investigation looked into the condition of the tyre valve and the tracks left on the runway surface, which showed grooves caused by the left wheel and brake assembly during the skid.