What happened
On 13 May 2019, a Starduster Too SA300, registration G-BOBT, was completing a private flight in the local area. While returning to White Waltham Airfield, the pilot followed a Piper PA-28 on approach to Runway 11. The pilot noted that the approach parameters, including speed and descent rate, appeared normal, with winds recorded between 7 and 10 knots from 120 degrees.
Upon landing, the aircraft achieved a three-point touchdown but subsequently bounced twice. The second bounce was notably more intense than the initial one. This final impact was sufficiently forceful to cause the collapse of the undercarriage. The accident resulted in no injuries to the pilot, but the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and undercarriage, and the engine experienced shock-loading.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators reviewed the sequence of the landing and the pilot's flight parameters. The pilot reflected that the landing was excessively heavy and acknowledged that a go-around should have been initiated following the first bounce.