AAIB investigation to Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo, G-OSPH 1 December 2020
Hard landing, Chilbolton airfield, Stockbridge, Hampshire, 1 December 2020.
Summary:
The pilot normally flew this aircraft from the left seat; however, on this occasion he was flying a short cross-country flight from Blackbushe to Chilbolton whilst occupying the right seat. This meant that his hands were transposed on the control column and throttle lever from their usual position. During the landing, at approximately 5 ft to 10 ft agl, the pilot felt the aircraft descending more rapidly than he had intended. To correct the rate of descent, he instinctively pushed the control column forward rather than the throttle, which resulted in a hard landing during which the landing gear collapsed.
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