Flight Details
On 26 September 2004 at 1555 UTC, a Grob G115 (registration G-RAFA, year of manufacture 1989) with one Lycoming O-235-H2C piston engine was conducting a private flight from Cranwell, Lincolnshire. The aircraft carried one crew (the pilot) and one passenger. The pilot, aged 39, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 1,850 hours total flying experience, of which only 5 hours were on type; in the previous 90 days he had flown 2 hours, with 1 hour in the last 28 days.
The Incident
While performing a touch-and-go landing, the aircraft encountered gusting wind on short final approach. The pilot was surprised by the sensitivity of the controls and described the subsequent landing as "poor and probably nose wheel first". He decided to abort the touch-and-go and completed a full stop landing instead. During taxi back to the apron, the aircraft was difficult to keep straight.
Damage and Inspection
After shutdown, a visual inspection revealed damage to the nose landing gear and the tip of one propeller blade. No injuries were sustained by the crew or passenger.
Probable Cause
The pilot assessed the cause of the accident as mishandling of the aircraft in the gusty conditions.