Summary
On 9 April 2008, an Ikarus C42 FB100, registration G-EDEE, sustained damage to its nose landing gear assembly, propeller blade and lower engine cowling during a landing accident at Sutton Meadows Airfield, Cambridgeshire. The aircraft was on a private flight from a private airstrip near Newark, Nottinghamshire, to Beccles and then to Sutton Meadows. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.
History of the Flight
The pilot and passenger departed from a private airstrip near Newark for a flight to Beccles before continuing to Sutton Meadows. The purpose of the flight was to visit friends. The weather for the entire route was good, with the surface wind generally westerly at about 15 kt.
After departing Beccles, the aircraft climbed to 2,000 ft for the transit to Sutton Meadows. The pilot joined overhead the destination and noted the windsock indicated Runway 24 as the most suitable landing direction. He could not recall the exact wind direction but transmitted his intentions on the microlight radio frequency and was advised to use Runway 28. He flew a right-hand circuit, turning onto the final approach. Two stages of flap were lowered and the approach was stable at about 55 kt with no significant turbulence or gust disturbance.
At about 15 ft, the aircraft pitched up unexpectedly. The pilot responded with a forward movement of the control column, causing the aircraft to pitch down and descend towards the runway. The pilot attempted to raise the nose but there was insufficient height to prevent the aircraft touching down on the nose wheel, which collapsed. The propeller contacted the grass surface of the runway, the engine stopped, and the aircraft came to rest after a short distance. Both occupants vacated the aircraft through the normal exits.
Aircraft Information
The Ikarus C42 FB100, manufactured in 2005, was powered by a single Rotax 912ULS piston engine.
Pilot Information
The 63-year-old commander held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had a total flying experience of 123 hours, of which 29 were on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 11 hours, and 7 hours in the last 28 days.
Damage
The nose landing gear assembly, propeller blade, and lower engine cowling were damaged.
Discussion
The flight had been uneventful and the approach to Runway 28 appeared normal with no gusts or turbulence. The pitch up in the final stages of the approach was corrected with what appeared to be an appropriate level of forward control input. The pilot considered that the aircraft had encountered some degree of windshear. With the increased rate of descent and the nose-down attitude, there was insufficient height to prevent the nose landing gear contacting the runway, resulting in its collapse.