AAIB investigation to Glos-Airtourer 150, G-AXIX
Hard landing, Almeley Wootton, 25 March 2020.
Summary:
The pilot and passenger were flying from Shobdon Airport in Herefordshire to a grass airstrip near Almeley Wootton (approximately 5 nm south-west of Shobdon). After flying in the local area for an hour the pilot made an approach to land on the north-westerly runway. The wind was approximately 5 kt across the runway.
The pilot reported he landed on the main wheels but as the nosewheel touched down the aircraft started to oscillate in pitch. The nosewheel detached, the propeller struck the ground and the aircraft came to a sudden stop. Neither occupant was injured and they were both able to exit the aircraft normally.
The pilot believes the accident was caused by a slightly higher groundspeed than he was use to, due to the lack of headwind, and him closing the throttle slightly early causing the aircraft to drop onto the runway. He was aware he was landing on a short runway so did not want to land too far along it.
The pilot reported that as the aircraft came to a sudden halt the fire extinguisher, which was mounted at the back of the baggage compartment, came loose and travelled past the passenger’s head and through the windscreen. When the aircraft is repaired, he intends to relocate the fire extinguisher behind the seats to ensure it is secure.
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