What happened
On October 25, 2002, a Jabiru J400, registration ZU-CTD, was conducting a type conversion training flight at George Aerodrome (FAGG). The flight, which included both a pilot and an instructor, was intended to be a local circuit operation departing from and returning to George.
During the landing phase on Runway 20, the aircraft experienced a heavy touchdown on the nosewheel. This impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, subsequently forcing the propeller to strike the runway surface. The left wing tip also made contact with the ground during the sequence. Following the impact, the pilot successfully shut off the fuel and electrical systems. Both occupants exited the aircraft without injury, and local airfield fire services responded to the scene.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the aircraft's recent operational history. At the time of the incident, the weather conditions were clear with CAVOK visibility and a wind of 210 degrees at 10 knots. The aircraft was relatively new, having been registered in July 2002 with only 3.8 total flight hours accumulated since manufacture. The accident flight itself accounted for 1.1 of those hours. Air Traffic Control personnel witnessed the heavy landing and the subsequent gear failure.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the improper execution of the flare technique by the pilot during the landing phase.
- A contributing factor was the limited experience of both the student pilot and the instructor regarding this specific aircraft type at the time of the occurrence.