What happened
On 16 March 2015, a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-CNAB, was being operated for private circuit practice at a grass airstrip located north-east of Nottingham. The pilot had prepared the aircraft at a private farm airstrip, noting that local weather conditions had improved to a visibility of approximately 7 km with a 7-knot easterly wind.
Following a takeoff using the north-westerly runway, the pilot performed a go-around after an initial high approach. During a subsequent landing attempt, the aircraft touched down normally on its main wheels. However, as the nosewheel settled, the aircraft was positioned toward the left side of the strip and began drifting toward the edge. In an attempt to maintain the runway, the pilot applied heavy braking while simultaneously using rudder and nosewheel steering. This combination of actions caused the left wheel to leave the prepared surface and encounter soft ground. The aircraft subsequently veered into an adjacent field, where the nosewheel dug into the earth, causing the aircraft to pitch forward and fully invert. The pilot escaped the aircraft without any injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's movement during the landing roll and the pilot's subsequent actions. It was established that the aircraft sustained significant damage to the engine cowling, propeller, landing gear, nose gear, left lift strut, pitot static tube, and elevator hinges. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flying experience, noting that while the pilot had 345 total flying hours, only 7 of those hours were on this specific aircraft type, with very limited recent currency.
Findings
- The aircraft drifted toward the left edge of the airstrip during the landing roll.
- The pilot's attempt to correct the deviation via steering and rudder was unsuccessful due to the necessity of heavy braking to stop the aircraft.
- The aircraft's left wheel left the runway and entered soft ground, leading to the nosewheel digging in and the subsequent inversion.
- The pilot's lack of recent experience and currency on the Jabiru UL-450 was a contributing factor to the loss of control.