What happened
On 16 October 2010, a P & M Aviation Ltd QuikR, registration G-JFAN, was conducting a private flight from Tain to Durness. During the flight, the pilot observed a cylinder head temperature reading that was higher than normal. Under conditions of good visibility and light winds, the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing at Oldshoremore Beach, near Kinlochbervie.
While the aircraft initially landed on firm sand, the nosewheel sank into a patch of softer sand at the conclusion of the landing roll. This caused the aircraft to dig in and roll over, eventually coming to rest in an upside-down position. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger following the incident.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. The examination focused on the circumstances leading to the decision to land and the surface conditions at the landing site. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to the wing, propeller, and cockpit during the rollover.
Findings
- The pilot performed the landing as a precaution due to an unexplained increase in cylinder head temperature.
- The primary cause of the aircraft's overturn was the nosewheel sinking into soft sand at the end of the landing run.
- The specific reason for the elevated cylinder head temperature remained undetermined at the time of the report.