Incident Overview
On 15 September 2003, a Jabiru UL-450 (registration G-LYPG) experienced a nose gear collapse during a private flight at Halwell, South Devon. The aircraft, manufactured in 1999 and powered by a single Jabiru 2200A piston engine, was occupied by the pilot and one passenger. No injuries were reported.
Flight Details
The pilot departed his home strip at Edington, Wiltshire at 1100 hrs UTC for a pleasure flight to Halwell, near Dartmouth, with a passenger. After landing at Compton Abbas for refreshments and refueling, he took off at 1200 hrs, routing via Lyme Regis and Exmouth. Weather conditions were clear and sunny with nil wind.
Landing Sequence
On arrival at Halwell, the pilot elected to land on Runway 27 because there was no wind and the aircraft parking area was at the 09 threshold. He selected full flap for a short field approach, crossing the threshold at 60 kt and flaring at 55 kt. The aircraft touched down on the crest of an undulation and ballooned back into the air. Upon the next contact, the main wheels pitched the nose downward, transferring the full weight of the aircraft onto the nose landing gear, which then collapsed.
Damage and Outcome
The aircraft stood on its nose before coming to a sudden stop, remaining upright. The nosewheel collapsed and the propeller sustained damage. The pilot and passenger were able to vacate the aircraft normally, and there were no injuries. The pilot later noted that his threshold speed was 5 kt too high and that the undulations in the field contributed to the accident.