What happened
On 22 July 2014, a P&M Aviation QuikR, registration G-FRIK, was involved in an accident at Sulby airstrip in Leicestershire. The aircraft, powered by a single Rotax 912-UL engine, was being flown on a private mission from Enstone, Oxfordshire, to deliver the aircraft to a maintenance facility.
During the approach to Runway 04, the pilot initiated a go-around. However, this decision was made too late in the approach sequence. As the aircraft maneuvered, the right wingtip made contact with the standing barley crop bordering the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to swing around, eventually coming to rest on its side in the field adjacent to the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft suffered extensive damage to its wing, propeller, nosewheel, pylon, pod, and base tube.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight conditions at Sulby, a grass strip measuring approximately 410 metres in length and 16 metres in width. At the time of the occurrence, the wind was recorded as being from 030º at 5 knots. The pilot's own account indicated that the initial approach was poor and that the timing of the go-around maneuver was the critical factor in the wingtip strike.