What happened
On 21 October 2016, a Mainair Blade 912, registration G-BYHS, was performing a private flight when an incident occurred shortly after landing on the asphalt runway 27 at Shobdon Airfield, Herefordshire. Following the touchdown, the pilot attempted to use the brakes to slow the aircraft. However, the braking action was not smooth, instead characterized by a "snatching" sensation, prompting the pilot to release the pressure.
Seconds after the brakes were released, the right-side undercarriage failed. This loss of structural integrity caused the aircraft to lose directional control, resulting in the plane veering off the right side of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a halt after rotating through 180 degrees. The pilot sustained no injuries and was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident examined the damage sustained by the aircraft, which included damage to the propeller blades, the petrol tank, the spat, and both the top and bottom suspension arms on the right side, as well as the drag link.
Technical analysis established that the right drag link had failed. This failure caused the right undercarriage to collapse and move backward into the path of the propeller. The pilot noted that the failure appeared to be the result of an excessive load being placed on the component during the application of the brakes.