What happened
On 19 June 2016, a Quik GT450 Quik, registration G-CJAJ, was conducting a private local flight near Sutton Meadows Airfield in Cambridgeshire. After approximately 30 minutes in the air, the pilot initiated a standard overhead join to land on Runway 19. Upon reaching the overhead position, the pilot noted that the windsock indicated light winds with a slight crosswind component from the right.
The approach proceeded without incident, and the pilot reported no presence of significant thermals. However, as the aircraft entered the flare phase of the landing, a sudden, strong gust of wind struck the aircraft, lifting the right wing and forcing the plane sharply toward the left side of the runway. In an attempt to stabilize the wings and execute a go-around, a second gust from the right side hit the aircraft, causing the left wingtip to contact the ground. This resulted in a loss of control, and the aircraft came to a stop adjacent to the runway.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the atmospheric conditions at the time of the landing and the sequence of aerodynamic events during the flare. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft, a 2016 model powered by a Rotax 912UL engine, suffered severe damage as a result of the impact. The pilot sustained a minor injury to a ligament in the right shoulder, while the passenger remained uninjured.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was sudden, strong wind gusts that disrupted the aircraft's stability during the landing flare.
- The first gust caused an uncommanded lift of the right wing and a lateral deviation from the runway centerline.
- A subsequent gust from the right prevented the pilot from successfully leveling the wings during the transition to a go-around, leading to the wingtip strike.