What happened
On 19 August 2011, a Nipper T.66 RA45 Series 3, registration G-CORD, was conducting a private flight to Weybourne (Muckleburgh) Airfield in Norfolk. This was the pilot's initial visit to the airfield. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a low pass along runway 34 to evaluate the surface condition and assess wind speeds via the windsock. The pilot noted that the approach was somewhat fast, as the aircraft had just cleared a hill while following the extended centre line.
During the landing on runway 03/21, the nosewheel made contact with the hard ground just past the runway intersection. This caused the gear to collapse, leading the aircraft to flip over and come to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the wreckage with assistance, sustaining only minor injuries, specifically a small head laceration and bruising from the five-point harness. The aircraft suffered extensive damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances of the landing and the condition of the airfield. The pilot reported that the surface wind was approximately 340 degrees at 10-15 knots. The investigation looked into the pilot's approach technique and the physical state of the runway surface at the time of the incident.