A pilot had a lucky escape when he escaped uninjured when his plane crash-landed at Limetree Airfield in Portlaoise recent.
The Pilot of a BRM Land Africa was conducting local circuits at Limetree Airfield.
An investigation carried out by Air Accident Investigation Unit Ireland (AAIU) noted that on the third circuit, during the landing flare to Runway (RWY) 19, the aircraft suddenly lost lift.
A report on the accident noted: “The Pilot attempted to correct this by increasing the pitch attitude, but the aircraft landed firmly on the nose wheel. The nose wheel and fork separated from the aircraft. The propeller then impacted the ground sustaining significant damage”.
The pilot was uninjured in the accident which occurred on the afternoon of May 24.
Two Inspectors from the AAIU travelled to the Limetree Airfield following the accident.
The impact site and the aircraft, which had been recovered to a hangar, were inspected.
The report notes that the pilot facilitated the Investigation with a full account of the event.
During this account, the pilot described thermal activity which he believed affected the aircraft during the landing flare.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage which included:
The nose wheel and mounting frame were bent rearwards and separated from aircraft;
One broken propeller blade with a significant portion separated;
One cracked propeller blade;
Damage to the leading edge of the third propeller blade.
“A detailed inspection of the engine was not carried out, but it is deemed likely that the engine suffered shock load damage when the propeller impacted the ground,” the report states.
Both the aircraft and the Pilot were appropriately licenced for the flight.
In its comment the AAIU said: “There was no evidence or report of a pre-existing mechanical problem with the aircraft.
“In his statement, the pilot referred to the presence of thermal effects immediately preceding the accident which he believed affected the handling of the aircraft during the landing flare,” the comment concludes.
The investigation does not sustain any safety recommendations.
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