What happened
On 10 August 2017, a Pegasus Quik, registration G-FFIT, was performing a private flight at Maypole Airfield in Kent. During the approach to Runway 02, the pilot encountered turbulent air and a loss of lift while flying over nearby buildings and trees. This disturbance resulted in an increased rate of descent, leading to a hard landing on the main landing gear. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce, and the subsequent touchdown was nose-heavy. While taxiing following the landing, the nosewheel forks buckled, causing the fibreglass pod to strike the ground.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination established that the aircraft sustained damage to the fibreglass pod and the nosewheel forks were buckled. The pilot, who held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had 160 total flying hours, was not injured in the incident. The pilot noted that a go-around could have been a suitable course of action once the high rate of descent became apparent near the ground.