What happened
On 8 June 2013, a Mainair Blade, registration G-BZPZ, was conducting a circuit training flight at Otherton Airfield in Staffordshire. During the approach to Runway 07, the aircraft encountered a localized area of sinking air caused by the surrounding topography. Although the instructor on board had not been particularly concerned by the sink rate due to the light surface winds, the descent became significant enough that the instructor took control of the aircraft and applied full power to compensate.
Despite the application of power, the aircraft made a heavy touchdown on the grass runway. The impact caused the rear suspension leg to collapse, which subsequently led to damage to the aircraft's keel, seat frame, propeller, and landing gear. The instructor managed to reduce power to idle and brought the aircraft to a halt within approximately 100 metres. There were no injuries to the two crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the approach and the impact. The investigation established that the aircraft encountered an area of sink shortly before touchdown. The instructor's decision to take control and apply full power was noted, though the heavy landing persisted.