What happened
On 28 October 2018, a Vans RV-12, registration G-CMKL, was performing a private flight at Midlem Airfield, near Selkirk. The flight was occurring in favorable weather conditions and followed the aircraft's maiden flight. During the landing phase on Runway 06, the aircraft began to drift toward the left side of the runway, a movement influenced by the downslope of the runway surface.
As the aircraft departed the paved surface, it entered a shallow ditch. The impact with the ground caused the propeller to strike the earth, resulting in a shock load to the engine. Additionally, the nose landing gear leg sustained bending damage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained no injuries and was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the runway conditions and the aircraft's behavior during the landing roll. The pilot provided a self-assessment regarding the incident, noting that while taxi trials had been conducted, the specific impact of the runway's slope on the landing phase had been underestimated. The pilot also noted that the aircraft was traveling at a higher speed than ideal for the approach and reflected that a go-around should have been considered.