What happened
On 9 May 2009, a GAF Nomad, registration N5190Y, was conducting an aerial work flight at Chatteris Airfield, Cambridgeshire. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and 13 passengers intended for parachute operations. During the climb to the drop altitude, the ground crew notified the pilot that wind conditions were too strong for the planned jump, advising a return to base.
During the approach to Runway 19, the pilot maintained an airspeed of 87 kt with flaps set to 20°. The weather was characterized by winds of 220/15 kt, gusting to 30 kt. As the pilot attempted to initiate the roundout, the aircraft experienced a sudden drop. The aircraft subsequently made a heavy landing, which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and damaged the left wing tip. All 14 occupants exited the aircraft without injury, and no fire occurred.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's qualifications and the aircraft's performance parameters. It was established that the pilot was operating under an FAA licence, which, unlike CAA regulations, did not require a specific type rating for this aircraft. The pilot had previously experienced an accident in 2007 involving the same aircraft and type, where an engine failure led to an overrun.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's flight manual, noting that while the manual specified an uncorrected approach speed of 87 kt for a landing weight of 8,500 lbs, it provided no specific guidance for adjusting speeds for wind or for landings with reduced flap settings. The investigation noted that the presence of 13 passengers meant the aircraft's landing weight was significantly higher than the pilot's typical landing weight.
Findings
- The heavy landing was caused by the aircraft suddenly dropping during the roundout phase.
- High winds and gusts contributed to the unstable approach.
- The aircraft was operating at a much higher landing weight than the pilot's recent experience due to the 13 passengers on board.
- The pilot lacked formal training or a type rating for the GAF Nomad under UK regulations.
- The flight manual lacked instructions for adjusting approach speeds for wind or for use of reduced flap settings.