What happened
On 15 October 2012, a Robin DR400/500 President, registration G-VIRR, was returning to Jersey Airport from Shobdon on a private flight. As the aircraft approached the north coast of Jersey, the pilot noted the arrival of a rain shower and observed Runway 27. The pilot had received several updates via the Jersey ATIS regarding wind conditions, including a final notification of a wind direction of 240 degrees at 18-20 knots.
To manage the crosswind, the pilot opted for a longer final approach of approximately 1.5 miles, utilizing a power-on technique and the crossed-controls method. During the landing phase, the aircraft touched down at a speed higher than usual for calm conditions. Following touchdown, the aircraft bounced approximately three times before a violent impact occurred from a height of 10 to 20 feet. This final impact involved all three landing gears, causing the nose gear to collapse. The aircraft slid along the runway before coming to a halt. The pilot, who sustained no injuries, successfully shut off the fuel and electrics before exiting the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the pilot's handling of the crosswind. The AAIB established that the pilot was highly experienced on this specific aircraft type. The investigation also reviewed the wind information received via the tower and the pilot's decision-making regarding the approach profile and flap usage.