Incident Summary
At 1515 UTC on 15 May 2003, a Maule M5-235C Lunar Rocket, registration G-CCBF, sustained damage to its right undercarriage, main spar, and propeller during landing at Leicester Airport. The aircraft was on a private flight returning from Fenland Aerodrome. The sole pilot and passenger were not injured.
Flight History
The flight from Fenland to Leicester proceeded in excellent visibility with negligible wind at departure. Approximately two miles from Leicester, the passenger, who had flown the preceding sector, noted a vertical smoke column, indicating light local wind conditions. The aircraft then prepared for landing on Runway 10.
Landing and Ground Run
The aircraft touched down in a normal three-point attitude and rolled straight for about 200 metres. As groundspeed decreased to an estimated 12 knots, the pilot felt a sudden slight lurch, and the aircraft began to turn right. Applying corrective rudder was ineffective, so the pilot applied left differential brake. This caused a violent left swing, resulting in the right landing gear collapsing inboard beneath the fuselage. The aircraft slewed through 150° from the runway heading, coming to rest with the right wing tip contacting the ground. The pilot shut off fuel and electrical systems, and both occupants evacuated without injury.
Post-Landing Observations
After the incident, the pilot noticed a breeze had developed. Ten minutes later, the tower reported wind from 130° at 5 knots. The pilot considered that he had been caught out by the crosswind component and that the effects were exacerbated by his use of differential brake. An inspection of the tailwheel assembly revealed no defect, although the aircraft type is equipped with a steerable tailwheel having an internal locking mechanism that can, if failed, allow free castoring and loss of ground control.