Accident Overview
On 25 October 2002 at 0924Z, a Jabiru J400 aircraft (registration ZU-CTD) was involved in an accident during a type conversion training flight at George Aerodrome (FAGG). The aircraft was operating on Runway 20 with a prevailing wind of 210° at 10 knots. The flight had departed from and was intending to land at George Aerodrome. The pilot, accompanied by an instructor, was performing the landing.
According to an air traffic controller who witnessed the event, the aircraft was landed heavily on the nosewheel. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the runway surface and the left wing tip to make contact with the ground. After the landing, the pilot shut off the fuel and electrical systems, and both occupants vacated the aircraft uninjured and without assistance. Local airfield fire services attended the scene.
The aircraft had accumulated a total of 3.8 hours since manufacture, with the accident flight accounting for 1.1 of those hours. The Certificate of Registration was issued on 4 July 2002, and the Authority to Fly was issued on 11 October 2002.
Probable Cause
The pilot flying displayed the wrong technique by not executing the flare properly prior to touchdown. Contributory to the accident could have been the limited experience on the aircraft type by both the instructor and the pilot flying (student) at the time of the accident.