History of the Flight
The aircraft, a Robin DR400/500 President registered G-VIRR, was returning from Shobdon to Jersey on 15 October 2012. The pilot had received Jersey ATIS information indicating a likely shower and a cloud base of 1,300 ft. Approaching the north coast of Jersey, the shower arrived but Runway 27 remained in view. Changing frequency to Jersey Tower, he was cleared to approach and recalled receiving wind information of 240° at 18–20 kt. He positioned for a slightly longer final approach than usual, estimated at about 1½ miles, to account for the crosswind.
Landing Sequence
The pilot elected for a power-on approach, his normal practice in crosswind conditions, and employed the "crossed controls" method. Maintaining a steady track on the runway heading, he received revised wind information two or three more times from the tower but did not acknowledge. Applying only the first stage of flap, he touched down at a slightly higher speed than for calmer conditions but expected a normal rollout.
However, the aircraft bounced approximately three times before dropping violently from a height of 10–20 ft. The pilot felt he had no control. The final impact was on all three landing gear, and the nosewheel collapsed. The aircraft slid along the ground before coming to rest. The pilot switched off the electrics and fuel, made a short radio transmission, and exited.
Aftermath
The pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 3,245 hours total (3,235 on type), was uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose landing gear and propeller. The pilot was at a loss to explain what went wrong during what he described as a routine crosswind landing in an aircraft with which he was extremely familiar. He did not discount the possibility of a sudden gust of wind but had no recollection of that happening.