What happened
On 26 August 2013, a TeamEurostar UK aircraft, registration G-CEFZ, was involved in an accident during a training flight at Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire. The aircraft, powered by a single Rotax 912-UL engine, was being operated by a student pilot performing solo flight exercises.
During a touch-and-go maneuver on Runway 08, the pilot reported that the approach and flare appeared normal until the aircraft unexpectedly dropped onto the runway. This resulted in a nosewheel-first touchdown. Following this initial contact, the aircraft bounced and developed a pitch oscillation. The impact led to the collapse of the nose landing gear. The aircraft eventually came to a stop on the runway, and the pilot, who sustained no injuries, was able to exit the cockpit without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators reviewed the sequence of the landing, noting the wind conditions at the time were reported as 040° at 9 knots. The examination focused on the transition from the flare to the touchdown and the mechanical response of the landing gear during the bounced landing.