What happened
On 6 August 2022, a Pegasus Quik, registration G-CGRR, was performing a private solo flight from Harringe Court Farm in Kent. After visiting two other local airstrips, the pilot returned to the home base for landing. An eyewitness observed the aircraft performing a standard final approach in good weather conditions with a light breeze.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced approximately one metre into the air. During the subsequent second contact with the ground, the left rear wheel of the tricycle undercarriage lifted. The aircraft then veered to the right, and the right-wing tip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to come to an abrupt halt on its side. The impact resulted in one serious injury to the pilot.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft and the circumstances of the landing. Mechanical inspections of the engine controls and braking systems revealed no faults. While the wing sustained significant structural damage to the keel, cross spar, and leading edge, the damage to the trike itself was minor. Data from the aircraft's navigation unit and the pilot's mobile phone helped reconstruct the flight path.
Investigators also examined the pilot's safety equipment. Although the pilot was wearing a lap strap, the shoulder strap for the front seat was found rolled up and secured with a plastic tie-wrap. The pilot had not used this shoulder strap in previous flights due to its short length. Furthermore, the damage to the pilot's helmet visor, which featured a vertical score line matching the profile of the aircraft's front strut, indicated significant head movement during the impact.
Findings
- The exact cause of the aircraft tipping onto its side during the landing sequence could not be determined.
- The pilot's upper body was not properly restrained because the shoulder strap was not being worn.
- The lack of upper body restraint allowed the pilot's head to strike the front strut and the right upright, leading to serious facial injuries.