What happened
On 19 February 2013, a Pegasus Xl-Q, registration G-MTTY, was being operated for private flight purposes at a farm strip near Romsey, Hampshire. The pilot, who had not flown for a period of time, intended to practice takeoffs and landings. The weather conditions were clear with a light south-east wind of 4 to 6 knots. The grass strip was oriented 06/24, but the pilot chose to operate in a south-westerly direction, which introduced a crosswind from the left.
Following an initial bumpy landing, the pilot performed a second takeoff to attempt another landing. While the second touchdown was smooth, the aircraft was positioned on the left side of the strip. In an attempt to steer the aircraft toward the center of the runway, the pilot initiated a rightward turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft rolled onto its left side.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances of the landing and the condition of the airfield. It was noted that the pilot was performing maneuvers on a grass surface. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained significant damage, with the wing being damaged beyond repair and the pod receiving slight damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft was attempting to correct its position on the strip during a turn.
- The pilot may have been traveling at a speed that was too high for the corrective maneuver, which placed excessive loading on the left main wheel and the nosewheel.
- This increased loading caused the nosewheel to sink into the soft surface of the grass strip, leading to the rollover.