Accident Details
At 1600 hours UTC on 28 October 2018, a Vans RV-12, registration G-CMKL, experienced a landing excursion at Midlem Airfield near Selkirk. The aircraft was on its maiden flight, and the pilot was conducting a private flight. Weather conditions were good. The runway in use was Runway 06.
During the landing roll, the aircraft drifted to the left due to a downslope across the runway. It departed the runway and came to rest in a shallow ditch. The propeller struck the ground, causing shock loading to the engine, and the nose landing gear leg was bent.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Vans RV-12, manufactured in 2015 (serial number LAA 363-15252), powered by one Rotax 912 ULS piston engine. The pilot, aged 66, held a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence and had a total flying experience of 734 hours, of which only 2 hours were on type. In the last 90 days, the pilot had flown 20 hours, and in the last 28 days, 15 hours. The pilot was the sole occupant and was uninjured, vacating the aircraft unaided through the normal exit.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot candidly provided an assessment highlighting safety lessons he believed could help prevent similar accidents:
- He should have familiarized himself with the hazards beyond the runway, such as ditches.
- Despite extensive taxi trials, he underestimated the effect of the sloping runway on landing.
- He could have applied more aggressive braking at touchdown.
- Realizing he was slightly fast, he should have performed a go-around.
Damage
The aircraft sustained a propeller strike and a bent nose landing gear leg. No other damage is reported.