What happened
On 6 June 2011, a Wag-Aero Acro Trainer Cuby, registration G-BLDD, was performing a private flight to Cromer Airfield in Norfolk. During the approach to Runway 04, the pilot encountered a 6-knot crosswind from the left. During the initial landing roll, the aircraft struck a bump, which caused it to become airborne a second time.
Upon touching down for the second time, the aircraft began to ground loop toward the left. During this maneuver, the right mainwheel struck a small ditch, causing the right landing gear to buckle. The aircraft then drifted off the left side of the runway. The impact resulted in damage to the propeller and caused the engine to undergo shock-loading. The pilot, who sustained no injuries, was able to exit the aircraft via the cockpit door.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of the landing roll and the physical damage to the aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft's interaction with the runway surface—specifically hitting a bump—led to a secondary touchdown. The subsequent movement of the aircraft toward the left side of the runway placed the right landing gear into a ditch, triggering the structural failure of the gear and the resulting damage to the propeller and engine.