What happened
On 5 July 2009, at approximately 1700 UTC, a Pegasus Quik, registration G-CDMZ, was conducting a private flight when it encountered difficulties during the final stages of an approach to Herridge Court Farmstrip in Kent. While maneuvering through turbulent conditions, the pilot attempted to adjust the wing's attitude to initiate the flare. However, the aircraft did not respond to these control inputs and instead landed heavily on its nosewheel. This impact caused the aircraft to become briefly inverted. The aircraft sustained damage to the wing, the fuselage pod, and the nose landing gear.
The investigation
Following the occurrence, the pilot submitted an aircraft accident report. The investigation focused on the flight conditions and the aircraft's behavior during the landing sequence. The pilot noted that the incident occurred while navigating turbulence or wind shear encountered during the late stages of the approach. The investigation established that the pilot was uninjured and that the aircraft's failure to respond to the intended control changes was a central element of the event.