What happened
On 31 March 2013, a Jabiru UL-450, registration G-TYKE, was performing a private flight in Berwickshire. During the landing phase on Runway 07 at Charterhall Airfield, the pilot encountered strong and gusting south-easterly winds. As the aircraft was rolling along the paved surface, the pilot struggled to maintain directional control, preventing the aircraft from drifting toward the left side of the runway.
In an attempt to slow the aircraft, the pilot applied heavy braking. This action caused the aircraft to depart the paved runway area. As the aircraft moved onto the unpaved ground, the nose landing gear became embedded in the soft earth, causing the propeller to strike the surface. The impact resulted in damage to the propeller and the landing gear, eventually causing the aircraft to settle onto its underside. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the environmental conditions and the sequence of the landing roll. It was established that the weather conditions involved significant wind gusts from the south-east, which contributed to the difficulty in maintaining the aircraft on the paved portion of the runway.