What happened
On 21 August 2015, a QuikR, registration G-CFYO, was conducting a solo navigation exercise from Headcorn to North Weald Airfield. The flight was being conducted by a student pilot with 59 total flying hours. During the approach to the asphalt Runway 20, weather conditions included good visibility and a forecast wind speed of 10 knots.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced and subsequently made heavy contact with the runway surface, exhibiting a slight yaw to the right. During this phase of the landing, the aircraft was caught by a gust of wind, which caused it to tip onto its side. The aircraft then departed the right side of the paved runway and came to a stop on the adjacent grass area of Runway 20. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the wing, landing gear, propeller, airframe, and potentially the engine.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examiner reviewed the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The pilot noted that the aircraft's behavior was influenced by a sudden gust of wind following an unstable touchdown.
Findings
- The pilot had rounded out too early during the landing sequence.
- The initial touchdown resulted in a bounce and a heavy landing.
- A gust of wind contributed to the aircraft tipping onto its side after the heavy landing and subsequent yaw.