AAIB investigation to Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar, G-CGOG
Nose gear collapsed following a fast and firm touchdown, Whittles Farm Airstrip, Oxfordshire, 7 May 2016.
Summary:
The pilot reported whilst returning to his home base at Whittles Farm Airstrip he made a 鈥渇airly fast鈥� final approach to Runway 11. During the flare the aircraft was caught by a gust and this resulted in the aircraft making 鈥渟ignificant鈥� contact with the runway whilst still travelling quickly. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft slid to a halt approximately two-thirds of the way along the 380 m long grass runway. The pilot was not injured.
The weather conditions were reported by the pilot as: light south-easterly breeze, good visibility and scattered cloud.
The CAA Safety Sense Leaflet 12, 鈥楽trip Sense鈥�, provides useful advice and guidance. It includes the comment: 鈥樷�ou must know and fly the correct speeds for your aeroplane and remember the importance of using appropriate techniques, keeping the weight off the nosewheel鈥︹��. The full Strip Sense leaflet can be downloaded from the CAA website.
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