Accident Overview
On 16 July 2018, at approximately 15:10 UTC, a Jabiru Ul-450 aircraft registered G-JUDD sustained damage during a training flight at Clench Common Airfield, Wiltshire. The aircraft was engaged in conversion training with a student pilot and an experienced instructor on board. There were two crew and one passenger; none reported injuries.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot, having completed several landings earlier in the flight, was conducting an approach to Runway 26. Wind conditions were light and down the runway. As the aircraft touched down, it bounced. The instructor instructed the student to maintain the aircraft attitude and allow it to settle back onto the runway. Despite attempts to keep the correct attitude, the second touchdown occurred with all three landing gear legs contacting the ground simultaneously. The nose landing gear then failed.
Damage Assessment
The failure of the nose leg resulted in damage to the lower cowl and firewall. The aircraft's nose leg itself was broken.
Pilot Experience
The commander, aged 64, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 12,508 flying hours, of which 272 were on the Jabiru type. His recent flying included 128 hours in the last 90 days and 40 hours in the last 28 days.
Post-Accident Comments
The instructor noted that, in hindsight, he believed he should have taken control of the aircraft and initiated a go-around after the initial bounce.