Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was an EV-97 TeamEurostar UK Eurostar microlight, registration G-CFNW, manufactured in 2008. This two-seat low-wing aircraft is of aluminium construction and is operated in the United Kingdom under a Permit to Fly. It was powered by a single Rotax 912-UL piston engine. The pilot, aged 64, held a Student pilot licence. He had accumulated a total of 100 flight hours, with 40 hours on the accident aircraft type. In the 90 days preceding the event, he had flown 20 hours, and in the previous 28 days, 10 hours. The flight was a training sortie with the pilot flying solo circuits.
Event Description
On 17 October 2009 at 1140 UTC, the pilot was conducting multiple touch-and-go landings at Perth Aerodrome in Perth, Scotland. Runway 03 was active, and the wind was reported as light and variable. During one landing, the aircraft bounced immediately after touchdown and then contacted the runway again with heavy impact on the nosewheel. The pilot aborted the landing by applying full power and initiated a go-around. He requested a visual inspection from the air traffic control tower while performing a low fly-past; the tower controller observed no visible damage. As a precaution, the pilot requested the airfield fire truck to stand by. He subsequently landed without further incident.
Damage
A post-flight examination of the aircraft revealed minor damage: a propeller strike, a dent in the nosewheel rim, and slight buckling of the engine firewall and cockpit floor. No injuries were reported.