What happened
On 4 June 2010, a Pegasus XL-R, registration G-MTAX, was conducting a training flight at Beverley Airfield, Yorkshire. The pilot, who was undergoing a differences course to transition to flex-wing microlights, was performing solo circuits on Runway 12.
During the flight, the pilot attempted a third approach, which was intended to be a full-stop landing. The pilot noted that meteorological conditions were becoming increasingly unstable, characterized by a south-easterly wind gusting between 8 and 10 knots and the presence of strong thermals. As the aircraft entered the flare, it experienced a 'ballooning' effect. This resulted in a heavy landing on the nosewheel, which subsequently collapsed. The impact caused the aircraft to overturn, resulting in damage to the propeller, the wing, and the nosewheel.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions present at the time of the incident. The pilot's experience was noted, specifically that while they were experienced in light aircraft, they had only accumulated four hours of flight time on this specific type.