Aircraft and Flight Information
On 28 August 2008, at 1107 UTC, an Ikarus C42 FB80 microlight aircraft, registration G-RODJ, was involved in an accident at Swansea Airport. The aircraft was manufactured in 2007 and powered by a single Rotax 912-UL piston engine. The flight was a training sortie with the sole occupant being a student pilot on his first solo flight. The commander was 40 years old and had accumulated 57 hours of flying experience; details of recent flying hours were not provided.
Accident Sequence
According to an incomplete report submitted by the owner of the flying school, the aircraft departed the side of the runway during landing due to a “wrong rudder input”. The air traffic control officer on duty, who witnessed the event, stated that the student pilot appeared to flare too soon for landing. This resulted in a heavy bounced landing, after which directional control was lost and the aircraft exited the runway.
Damage
The initial notification to the AAIB indicated that the nose landing gear wheel and one main wheel were damaged. However, a subsequent report from the owner of the flying school stated that only ‘light nose wheel’ damage occurred. The nature of damage overall was limited to the landing gear.
Injuries and Occupants
No injuries were reported among the crew, and there were no passengers on board.
Investigation
The AAIB attempted to contact the owner of the flying school for further information but was unsuccessful. The investigation therefore relied on the initial incomplete report and the ATC officer’s account. No probable cause was determined by the AAIB in the published bulletin.