What happened
On 14 March 1998, a Quickie Q2, registration G-BVYT, was performing a private training flight at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon. The pilot, who had limited experience on this specific aircraft type, was conducting solo circuit practice. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by fine visibility and a light wind from 330°.
During the first circuit of the flight, the pilot approached Runway 36 at approximately 80 mph. The aircraft touched down normally, and the pilot allowed the plane to coast along the tarmac. As the aircraft reached the point where roughly one third of the runway remained, the pilot began applying the wheel brakes. Initially, the braking was gentle; however, as the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the pilot applied the brakes much more forcefully to avoid overrunning the tarmac. This sudden deceleration caused the aircraft to tip forward onto its nose, skidding until it came to a stop approximately 30 metres before the runway end.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the handling characteristics of the Quickie Q2, a two-seat canard-style kitplane. This specific model features main landing gear located on the tips of the canard and a steerable tailwheel. The braking system utilizes cable-operated brakes on each main wheel, which can be operated differentially via a cockpit lever.
It was noted that the aircraft type is known for being difficult to manage directionally during the takeoff and landing phases. The pilot's recent experience on the type was limited to approximately four hours of dual instruction and three solo circuits prior to the accident. The investigation also considered the pilot's approach speed, which was noted to be roughly 10 mph faster than ideal, and the lack of tactile feedback in the braking system.