What happened
On 26 September 2018, a Pegasus Quantum 15 microlight, registration G-MYPX, was conducting a private flight returning from the northwest to Halwell Airstrip in Devon. The weather conditions were reported as calm with visibility exceeding 10 km.
While flying the base leg at approximately 800 ft, the pilot observed another microlight, a P&M QuikR, positioned roughly 300 to 400 ft below and ahead, approaching the same runway. The pilot of G-MYPX began the flare approximately 30 seconds after the preceding aircraft had completed its landing. During this phase, the aircraft encountered turbulence, causing the left wing-tip and the left rear-wheel to make contact with the ground.
Following this initial contact, the aircraft became airborne again before landing a second time. This second touchdown resulted in the aircraft slewing 90 degrees to the left, eventually coming to a halt on its right wing's leading edge with the engine still running. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events and the physical state of the aircraft. It was noted that the preceding aircraft had made a blind radio transmission regarding engine trouble, which the pilot of G-MYPX did not receive because he was not using the radio due to previous transmission issues.
The inspection of G-MYPX revealed significant structural damage, including a bent nosewheel, a cracked pod on the trike, a broken port washout tube, and fractured wing spars. Additionally, the wing keel tube was found to be fractured at the kingpost attachment point.
Findings
- The turbulence encountered during the flare was attributed to the wake turbulence from the preceding microlight.
- The pilot noted that increased spacing from aircraft landing ahead would be maintained in the future.