What happened
On 27 May 2005, a Pulsar aircraft, registration G-BSFA, was performing a private flight at Gloucester Airport. The pilot, who had recently acquired the aircraft and possessed no prior experience on this specific type, was returning to land on Runway 09. During the landing sequence, the pilot noted a heavy initial touchdown, which caused the aircraft to bounce slightly while maintaining a level attitude. Following a second touchdown, the nose landing gear failed and collapsed against the runway surface. This impact caused the propeller to be destroyed and resulted in damage to the engine mounting framework, the right main landing gear, and the underside of the left wing root. The aircraft slid along the runway before coming to a halt. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot and conducted telephone enquiries. The investigation established that the pilot had purchased the aircraft on 11 May 2005 and had received a verbal briefing on the aircraft's operation prior to the flight. The pilot's experience on the Pulsar type was limited to one hour. The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing and the mechanical failure of the nose gear during the second touchdown.