What happened
On 30 April 2011, a Rans S6-ES Coyote II, registration G-CBZG, was performing a private flight when an accident occurred during landing on Runway 12 at Plaistows Farm, Hertfordshire. During the landing sequence, the aircraft bounced on its main landing gear. Following this initial contact, the nose of the aircraft was lowered, resulting in a heavy impact on the nose landing gear. This impact caused the aircraft to bounce into the air a second time before eventually settling on its main gear. During the process, the nose landing gear fork detached from the aircraft, causing the nose gear to dig into the grass. The aircraft subsequently tipped forward, coming to rest on the propeller and the remains of the nose gear.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the landing and the mechanical failure of the landing gear. It was noted that the surface wind was 10 knots, blowing down the runway. The pilot, who held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had 94 total flying hours, provided the primary information for the report. The investigation established that the nose landing gear leg became embedded in the turf, leading to the structural failure of the gear fork and the subsequent forward tipping of the aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the engine, engine mount, propeller, safety cage, and nose landing gear.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger on board.
- The primary cause of the accident was the nose landing gear fork detaching after the aircraft landed heavily on the nose gear following an initial bounce.
- The pilot noted that the landing attitude should have been maintained or a go-around should have been initiated following the first bounce.