What happened
On 5 September 2012, an Ikarus C42 FB80, registration G-CFLD, was conducting a private flight at Glenrothes Fife Airport. During the approach to Runway 25, the pilot performed a sideslip manoeuvre to compensate for being high on final approach. However, by the time the aircraft reached the flare, it had drifted to the left (downwind) side of the runway.
The aircraft touched down in a crosswind, which resulted in a bounce. This initiated a 'porpoising' motion. In an effort to regain positive control and extend the landing further down the runway, the pilot increased power. This action proved unsuccessful; the aircraft adopted a nose-high attitude and veered further left, eventually touching down on the soft ground adjacent to the runway. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, leaving the aircraft in a nose-down position.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, engine cowling, nose landing gear, and the left wheel spat.
The investigation
The investigation, based on the accident report submitted by the pilot, examined the flight sequence and the pilot's response to the environmental conditions. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating in fine weather with good visibility, though the wind was variable and reached up to 20 kt.
Findings
- The pilot's attempt to recover from the initial bounce by adding power was an incorrect or inadequate response to the developing situation.
- The aircraft drifted to the downwind side of the runway due to the crosswind conditions.
- The secondary touchdown occurred on soft ground, leading to the structural failure of the nose gear.