What happened
On 2 July 2017, a Mercury microlight, registration G-MYUB, was performing a private flight when it experienced a landing accident at Otherton Airfield, Staffordshire. During the landing sequence on grass Runway 34, the pilot successfully touched down on the main wheels. However, shortly after the initial contact, the nosewheel made contact with the ground. Upon this contact, the nose gear failed, causing the aircraft to tip onto its left side. The aircraft slid approximately 10 feet before coming to a complete stop.
There were two people on board at the time of the accident. The passenger escaped without injury, while the pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft itself incurred substantial damage, specifically affecting the propeller, the wing, the nose gear, and the pod/trike unit.
The investigation
Following the incident, the AAIB examined the wreckage and the circumstances of the landing. A subsequent inspection conducted by an independent third-party organisation focused on the structural integrity of the landing gear. This technical examination revealed a fatigue crack located at the edge of a weld on the nose gear assembly. It was determined that this crack caused the component to fail when subjected to the loads experienced during the landing touchdown.