What happened
On 21 June 2013, a Gemini Flash IIA, registration G-MYCS, was conducting a private flight near Driffield, Yorkshire. During the flight, the aircraft's Rotax 503 piston engine failed. Upon the loss of power, the pilot assessed the available landing sites and determined that a forced landing into a nearby meadow was the most viable option.
While performing the landing, the aircraft's nosewheel struck a hole in the ground. This impact caused the nosewheel to move to its full rightward travel limit, which subsequently caused the aircraft to slew to the right. The momentum of the maneuver caused the trike and wing to strike the ground. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the engine failure and the mechanics of the landing roll. Investigators examined the aircraft's impact with the terrain and the subsequent movement of the landing gear. The examination established that the pilot's decision to land in the meadow was appropriate given the limited options, but the presence of the hole in the ground significantly altered the outcome of the landing attempt. The aircraft sustained damage to the wheel spat, the hang bracket, and the pod.