What happened
On 30 December 2007, a Pegasus Quik, registration G-CEML, was conducting a private flight when the pilot decided to divert to a private landing strip in Anwick, Lincolnshire, to visit a friend. The airfield used for the landing consisted of a narrow grass runway, measuring approximately 5 metres in width and 600 metres in length, running east to west.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft began to skid toward the left. The microlight exited the left boundary of the runway and entered an adjacent ploughed field. This excursion caused the aircraft to roll onto its side, resulting in damage to the wing, the fuselage pod, and the nose landing gear. The pilot sustained no injuries during the incident.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. The examination focused on the circumstances of the landing and the physical state of the aircraft. The pilot provided a statement regarding the mechanical and manual inputs during the landing phase.
Findings
- The pilot landed with his foot inadvertently resting on the brake pedal.
- This unintended application of braking caused the aircraft to skid to the left during the landing roll.
- The loss of directional control led to the aircraft leaving the runway surface and entering the ploughed field.