What happened
On 9 May 2010, a Skyranger 912S, registration G-CDTP, was conducting a private flight at Breighton Airfield in North Yorkshire. During the approach to Runway 29, the pilot maintained an airspeed of 65 mph. At the time, the wind was reported as 030 degrees at 6 knots.
Recognising a crosswind from the right, the pilot attempted a ‘wing-down’ landing technique. However, as the aircraft entered the flare, the airspeed dropped to 50 mph and the right wing lifted unexpectedly. Although the pilot attempted to compensate by increasing engine power, the aircraft landed heavily on the nosewheel. This impact caused the nosewheel to collapse, resulting in the propeller striking the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board, though the aircraft sustained damage to the nosewheel and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight parameters and the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the landing phase. It was established that the pilot was aware of the crosswind component but failed to maintain the necessary airspeed for this specific aircraft type. The investigation focused on the transition from the approach to the flare and the subsequent loss of airspeed and wing lift.