What happened
On 10 July 2005, a Tri-R-Tech Tri Kis, registration G-BVZD, was completing a private flight from Leicester to Boscombe Down Airfield in Wiltshire. The weather conditions were favorable, with a light wind of 10 knots originating from 060°.
As the pilot performed the flare for landing on Runway 05, the aircraft's airspeed dropped excessively, causing a stall at an altitude of roughly two to three feet above the runway surface. This resulted in a heavy impact on the main landing gear and the tail. The aircraft subsequently bounced twice on the runway. During these impacts, the nosewheel burst, the propeller tips struck the runway, and the engine cowling became distorted. The tail skid and lower rudder also sustained damage. Despite the mechanical failures, the pilot managed to taxi the aircraft away from the runway and back to the flying club.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of the landing and the aerodynamic state of the aircraft during the flare. The pilot acknowledged that the airspeed had been allowed to decrease too much during the final stage of the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the heavy landing was the reduction of airspeed below safe limits during the flare.
- The subsequent bounces led to the failure of the nosewheel and contact between the propeller and the runway surface.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.