What happened
On 19 December 2009, a Skyranger 912(2) microlight, registration G-CDFJ, was performing a private flight at Sandown Airport, Isle of Wight. While attempting to land on Runway 05, the aircraft touched down approximately halfway along the runway. Following this initial contact, the aircraft bounced before making a second touchdown.
Upon the second contact, the nose landing gear leg sank into the grass runway surface. This caused the nosewheel to detach, leading the aircraft to tip over. The impact resulted in damage to the engine cowling, propeller, windscreen, tailplane, rear fuselage, and nosewheel. Both the pilot and the single passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the condition of the runway. At the time of the accident, the wind was reported as 7 knots from a direction of 315°. The pilot provided information regarding the sequence of events, noting the bounce and the subsequent failure of the nosewheel leg into the ground.
Findings
- The accident was influenced by a tailwind component and the soft nature of the grass runway surface.
- The pilot noted that applying full power after the initial touchdown and performing a go-around could have prevented the occurrence.