Independent report

AAIB Record-only investigations reviewed: November - December 2023

Published 8 February 2024

This section provides details of accidents and incidents which were not subject to a Field or full Correspondence Investigation. They are wholly, or largely, based on information provided by the aircraft commander at the time of reporting and in some cases additional information from other sources. The accuracy of the information provided cannot be assured.

Event date	Aircraft Type	Registration	Location Name	Record Only Occurrence Text
11 Jul 2023	Virus SW 128	G-KDKD	Membury Airfield, Berkshire	Upon arriving at the destination airfield, the pilot found the speed of the wind gusts were higher than expected. After two landing attempts, the aircraft’s remaining electrical charge was below the manufacturer’s threshold for the pilot to safely divert. The fourth landing resulted in several hard bounces, during which the aircraft’s nosewheel failed and the propeller was damaged.
17 Aug 2023	Pipistrel Virus SW 121	G-OVIR	Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Essex	On final after a post maintenance check flight by two instructors, the aircraft dropped suddenly in gusty conditions and struck the runway. Extensive damage was sustained to the propeller and landing gear and both pilots sustained injuries requiring hospital attention. The cross wind was close to the aircraft limit and the pilot flying was not accustomed to flying from the left seat.
3 Sept 2023	Europa XS	G-CDBX	Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man	During the landing, the nose gear collapsed.
8 Sept 2023	Pou Du Ciel - Bifly	G-POUX	Near Preston, Lancashire	While flying a circuit, the pilot noticed an increase in engine temperature. During the base leg, the engine stopped and would not restart. The pilot elected to land in a field. At touchdown the aircraft’s nose gear caught some long grass causing the aircraft to tip over.
15 Sept 2023	DH82A Tiger Moth	G-AJVE	Near Tring, Hertfordshire	The aircraft descended too low on approach and struck low tension power cables which crossed the undershoot. The aircraft then suffered a hard landing, which damaged the landing gear and caused the aircraft to bounce. On the second touchdown the damaged landing gear dug into the grass which caused the aircraft to yaw and then invert. Both occupants were uninjured.
21 Sept 2023	Nicollier HN 700 Menestrel II	G-CCVW	White Fen Farm Airstrip, Cambridgeshire	Whilst coming into land on a grass strip the engine stopped at approximately 8 feet above the ground and the aircraft landed heavily. The engine stoppage was most likely due to carburettor icing. The aircraft’s left wing and engine were damaged.
22 Sept 2023	Aquila AT01-100A	G-TSDA	Teesside International Airport	The aircraft engine began running roughly and the pilot could not set the power to idle for landing. The approach speed was higher than normal, the aircraft landed heavily and the nose leg collapsed.
29 Sept 2023	Hughes 369E	G-OBAS	Near Brimpton, Berkshire	At around 1,000 ft agl the engine out light illuminated together with an audible alarm. During the subsequent autorotation the helicopter rolled onto its left side on uneven ground. The engine was still running when the helicopter came to rest and the reason for the power loss was not established. The pilot reported that he may have inadvertently reduced engine power whilst adjusting the collective friction, or the engine governor may have failed.
8 Oct 2023	Vans RV-12	G-CJIC	Bolts Head Airfield, Devon	The aircraft was fast on final approach and floated for approximately threequarters of the length of the runway. It touched down and both pilots applied brakes. The aircraft departed the runway to the left and shortly before coming to rest, the left wingtip struck a fence post.
5 Nov 2023	Rotorsport UK MTO Sport 2017	G-CKYD	Inverness Airport	A student on his fourth solo flight, whilst receiving clearance for takeoff, allowed the rotor speed to drop and applied back stick causing the main rotor to contact the propeller and rudder. The student taxied back to the apron, unaware of debris that had been left on the runway and met the instructor who advised the Tower; this was after another aircraft had landed without incident. The runway was closed temporarily for an inspection and removal of the debris.
5 Nov 2023	SA341G Gazelle	N150SF	Near Spalding, Lincolnshire	While departing from a remote landing site near the coast, the helicopter lifted into a low hover. It was then caught by a strong gust of wind causing it to yaw rapidly to the left and drift backwards. The rotor blades struck a flag post causing structural damage to the helicopter, but the pilot managed to land with no injuries to the occupants.
10 Nov 2023	Maule M-6-235C Super Rocket	N6130X	Lydd Airport, London Ashford	Directional control was not maintained while landing on asphalt Runway 21. The aircraft departed to the left of the paved surface and pitched forward, suffering damage to the propeller and engine. The reported meteorological conditions included wind from 140° at 6 kt and rain showers. The pilot commented that he may have applied brake pressure inadvertently, causing or exacerbating the runway excursion and pitching motion.
11 Nov 2023	Piper PA-28-180	G-RVNX	Near Ellesmere, Shropshire	The aircraft’s propeller spinner detached in flight, but no further damage occurred and the aircraft landed safely. A single 5 cm crack had been observed in the spinner prior during pre-departure checks.
25 Nov 2023	DH82A Tiger Moth	G-ADJJ	Eshott Aerodrome, Northumberland	The pilot was looking out to the left of the aircraft during landing. The aircraft drifted to the right after touchdown and, as it was decelerating, it struck a fence that was approximately 6 m to the right side of the runway.