What happened
On 24 September 2009, an Aero AT-3 R100, registration G-SYEL, was conducting a private flight at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. During the landing phase on the grass Runway 23, the aircraft experienced a bounce following a standard approach under favorable weather conditions, characterized by good visibility and light winds.
Following the initial bounce, the pilot increased power and attempted a second approach. This subsequent touchdown was heavy, resulting in the nose landing gear collapsing. The impact caused the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft came to a rapid halt, and although the engine cowling, nosewheel, and propeller sustained damage, there was no fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was able to exit the aircraft without assistance and sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing and the structural integrity of the landing gear. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history and the mechanical state of the nosewheel assembly. The aircraft operator’s maintenance organization conducted an inspection and found no evidence of mechanical defects that could have contributed to the failure of the nose landing gear.