What happened
On 5 July 2011, a Thruster T600N 450, registered as G-KDCD, was performing a private flight at Stoke Airfield in Rochester, Kent. During the landing phase on Runway 06, the aircraft experienced a sudden shift in wind conditions. While a light crosswind had been present, the wind transitioned to a 10-knot tailwind late in the approach.
The pilot attempted to land but performed a late flare, resulting in the aircraft hitting the runway with excessive speed. This caused the aircraft to bounce back into the air in a nose-high attitude. Subsequently, the aircraft entered a stall and impacted the ground with the nose. Despite the impact, there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, and both occupants were able to exit the aircraft safely.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained significant damage, including impact damage to the propeller, wings, and pod, as well as a detached nosewheel and bent structural tubes within the cockpit cage.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot flaring late and touching down at an excessive speed.
- A late change in wind direction, shifting from a light crosswind to a 10-knot tailwind, contributed to the difficulty of the landing.
- The resulting bounce led to a nose-high attitude and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.