What happened
On 3 June 2000, a Cherry BX-2, registration G-BXUX, was performing a private flight at North Weald Airfield, Essex. During the landing phase on Runway 02, the aircraft experienced a bounce upon touchdown. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft and prevent a subsequent bounce, the pilot increased engine power. However, this application of power was excessive.
As a result of the increased power, propeller torque caused the aircraft to veer toward the left. This maneuver caused the left mainwheel to leave the tarmac and enter the grass area adjacent to the runway. The soft nature of the ground, which had been saturated due to recent heavy rainfall, contributed to the aircraft's instability.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events following the touchdown on the runway. It was established that the aircraft's left mainwheel encountered the unpaved surface, where the drag from the grass and soft soil caused a significant yaw to the left. As the aircraft continued into the soft earth, the nosewheel became embedded in the soil. The resulting forces placed an extreme load on the nose landing gear leg, causing it to collapse. This collapse brought the propeller into contact with the ground.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the excessive application of power following a landing bounce.
- The aircraft sustained major damage to the engine, propeller, cowling, and nose landing gear.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.