What happened
On 1 August 2013, a Jabiru SPL-450, registration G-BZST, was conducting a short private flight from Exeter to Dunkeswell Aerodrome. During the final approach to Runway 17, the pilot and a passenger observed a fox running across the runway. This unexpected movement distracted the pilot, resulting in the aircraft rounding out at an insufficient airspeed and an excessive height.
As a consequence of this approach, the aircraft made a heavy impact with the runway. Although the pilot did not immediately perceive any significant damage, the aircraft continued to taxi toward a parking area near the flying clubhouse. While applying the brakes to allow another aircraft to clear the area, the nose of the aircraft dipped suddenly. This caused the propeller to strike the grass, which subsequently stopped the engine.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft following the incident and identified damage to the nose landing gear and the propeller, noting that the engine had sustained a shock load. The inspection revealed that the suspension rubber bushes within the nose landing gear had failed, with some components having burst or disappeared entirely. Additionally, the propeller showed a large longitudinal split and had lost approximately 6-7 mm from the tips of its blades.
Findings
- The primary cause of the heavy landing was pilot distraction caused by an animal crossing the runway.
- The subsequent nose gear collapse was due to the failure of the nose landing gear suspension rubber bushes.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.