What happened
On 1 August 1999, a Replica Jodel 250, registration G-BXCG, was completing a private flight from Wales to Coventry Airport. The flight, which had lasted approximately two hours, was approaching Runway 23 under favorable weather conditions. The pilot noted that the surface winds were light and originating from the left.
Upon touchdown, the pilot reported a normal landing and proceeded to retract the flaps during the landing roll. However, as the pilot attempted to engage the handbrake, the aircraft began to deviate toward the left. Despite the pilot's efforts to correct the direction using right rudder, the aircraft continued its leftward turn. The aircraft subsequently exited the runway onto the grass, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear legs and minor damage to the fuselage. There were no injuries to the pilot or the three passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events following the touchdown and the mechanical or operational factors that led to the loss of directional control and the subsequent structural failure of the gear.