Aircraft Information
The aircraft involved was an Aero AT-3 R100, registration G-SACY, serial number AT3-029, manufactured in 2007. It was powered by a single Rotax 912-S2 piston engine. The flight was conducted under a National Private Pilot's Licence.
Flight History
The flight departed from Sherburn in Elmet and proceeded uneventfully to Fishburn Airfield. The pilot intended to land on Runway 26. Weather conditions were described as fine with a surface wind from 330° at 8 to 10 kt.
Accident Narrative
The pilot abandoned the first approach due to excessive height on final. During the second approach, though the crosswind presented some difficulty, the pilot was satisfied until the moment he began to reduce power and flare. The stall warning activated, which the pilot recalled sounding unusually early. He thought he may have briefly lowered the nose. Subsequently, the aircraft appeared to stall and struck the runway in a nose-low attitude.
Post-Accident Actions
The nose landing gear broke off, and the aircraft came to rest on its main wheels and propeller spinner. Both the pilot and passenger were uninjured and exited the aircraft to await assistance from airfield personnel.
Pilot Background
The commander, aged 62, held a National Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 114 total flying hours, with 36 on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 4 hours, and in the last 28 days, 1 hour.
The pilot speculated that the aircraft may have stalled as it entered the lee of hangars and trees, impacting the runway before he could take recovery action.