What happened
On 25 August 2010, a Pioneer 300, registration G-IPKA, was conducting a licence revalidation check flight at Battleflat Farm Strip in Leicestershire. The flight was being carried out with an LAA coach.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft began to decelerate, at which point the left landing gear leg collapsed. This caused the nose of the aircraft to swing approximately 60 degrees to the right. During this movement, the left mainwheel struck a narrow rut located adjacent to the edge of the grass runway. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse, resulting in the propeller striking the ground and the engine shutting down.
There were no injuries to the two crew members on board. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, propeller, fuselage, and engine cowl.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events following the aircraft's contact with the runway surface and the physical impact of the terrain on the landing gear assembly.