What happened
On 1 September 2003, a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-BZUL, was conducting a private flight from Rufforth Airfield, Yorkshire, to Carlisle Airport, Cumbria. The weather at the destination was reported as CAVOK with light winds from 020º at 4 knots.
During the approach to Runway 25, the pilot initially flew at an indicated airspeed of 60 kt using one stage of flaps, later selecting full flaps during the short final phase. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a slight bounce. During the subsequent second contact with the runway, the aircraft landed heavily on its nosewheel. This impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, bringing the aircraft to a stop on the asphalt surface. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller tips, the nose wheel assembly, and a slight dent on the port wing.
The investigation
The investigation, prompted by the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot, focused on the circumstances of the heavy landing. The pilot, who was the owner and builder of the aircraft, suggested that the approach may have been flown at an excessive speed. This potential overspeed was attributed to a possible error in the airspeed indicator (ASI) readings. Following the incident, plans were made to re-calibrate the ASI once the aircraft repairs are completed.