What happened
On 12 March 2003, a Grob G115D 2, registration G-BVHD, was performing circuit training at Plymouth City Airport. The flight was being conducted by a student pilot acting as the handling pilot, accompanied by an instructor. At the time of the incident, the wind was recorded at 060°/15 kt, with gusts reaching 22 kt, and Runway 06 was unavailable for use.
During the landing on Runway 13, the student pilot attempted to use right rudder to counteract the crosswind. However, the aircraft drifted toward the left edge of the runway. In an effort to prevent the aircraft from leaving the runway surface, the student increased engine power and applied sharp nose-up elevator input. This caused the aircraft to briefly lift off the ground. Due to the combination of the wind gusts, the nose-up attitude, and partial power, the aircraft landed heavily on its right wheel. This impact caused damage to the right wing tip and the right wheel rim. The instructor pilot subsequently took control, applied full power, and managed to climb away, though the left wing tip struck the runway before the aircraft reached a safe altitude.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the environmental conditions, specifically the significant crosswind and gusting conditions present during the landing. The assessment focused on the flight controls inputs made by the student pilot during the transition from touchdown to the brief period of flight and the subsequent heavy landing.