What happened
On 18 March 2015, a TL 2000UK Sting Carbon S4, registration G-ZIZY, was performing a private flight at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon. During the approach to Runway 05, the wind conditions were reported as approximately 5 knots from 050°.
As the pilot initiated the flare for landing, an unexpected gust of wind caused the aircraft's pitch attitude to increase more than intended. Fearing a stall, the pilot responded by applying full throttle and pitching the nose down. However, the descent could not be arrested in time, resulting in a heavy nosewheel-first touchdown. Following the landing, the pilot noted difficulty maintaining directional control while taxiing, requiring the use of differential braking as the aircraft continued to veer to the right despite full left nose steering.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board. The aircraft was vacated normally, but a subsequent inspection revealed damage to the nose gear leg and its attachment point to the fuselage, with the leg found canted to the left.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of events during the landing phase and the physical damage sustained by the landing gear assembly. The investigation established that the aircraft's pitch increased unexpectedly due to atmospheric conditions during the flare.
Findings
- The primary factor in the heavy landing was the decay of airspeed during the initial flare, which left insufficient margin to manage the aircraft's response to a wind gust.
- An unexpected gust of wind contributed to an unintended increase in pitch attitude.
- The aircraft sustained structural damage to the nose gear leg and the fuselage attachment point.