What happened
On 28 May 2009, a QuiKR, registration G-LPIN, was performing a private flight when it arrived at Popham Airfield in Hampshire. The aircraft touched down on Runway 26 without incident. However, as the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 30-35 mph during the landing roll, the right wing experienced a sudden increase in lift. This caused the aircraft to roll onto its left side, resulting in damage to both the wing and the trike structure. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
Investigators examined the environmental conditions and the airfield layout at the time of the accident. The wind was recorded at 6 knots from a direction of 300°. The investigation noted that Popham Airfield is bordered by tall trees, which can create unpredictable wind patterns. In this specific instance, the runway was positioned downwind of these trees, creating a situation where the aircraft was subject to undesirable wind effects.