What happened
On 30 September 2010, a Jabiru J160, registration G-CFGH, was performing a private flight at Ludham Airfield in Norfolk. Following a routine flight earlier in the day, the aircraft touched down on Runway 27. While the main landing gear made normal contact, the aircraft's speed decreased, and it began to veer toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying right rudder, but discovered that the pedals had become jammed.
Unable to maintain directional control, the aircraft departed the runway surface and encountered soft ground. The nosewheel dug into the earth, causing the aircraft to flip onto its back. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries consisting of cuts and bruises, and they were able to exit the aircraft through the doors. The impact caused damage to the nosewheel, the nose leg, and the wing strut.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's control systems and confirmed the pilot's report of a rudder jam. Engineers from the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) inspected the wreckage and determined that the jam was caused by insufficient clearance between the leading edge of the rudder and the trailing edge of the vertical fin.
This specific mechanical failure was noted as being consistent with previous incidents involving Jabiru aircraft. The investigation found that the clearance between the rudder leading edge and the fin trailing edge was less than the 3 mm required by the manufacturer's service bulletin. It was noted that structural distortions from aerodynamic or inertial loads could potentially close this gap, and that variations in control surface designs across the Jabiru range could contribute to such vulnerabilities.