AAIB investigation to Pioneer 300 Pioneer, G-RABS

Hard landing, Strathaven Airfield, South Lanarkshire, 11 November 2018.

From:: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Published: 14 February 2019

Category:: General aviation - fixed wing
Report type:: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
Date of occurrence:: 11 November 2018
Aircraft type:: Pioneer 300 Pioneer
Location:: Strathaven Airfield, South Lanarkshire
Registration:: G-RABS

Summary:

皇冠体育app pilot had taken off from Strathaven Airfield for a local flight. Shortly after getting airborne the weather started to deteriorate, and the pilot decided to return to the airfield to land on grass Runway 09. 皇冠体育app outside air temperature was about 8掳C and light rain.

During the final stages of the approach the pilot selected the cabin heat ON. Shortly after, the inside of the windshield rapidly misted up, obscuring the pilots forward view. 皇冠体育app pilot subsequently misjudged the flare and the aircraft landed heavily, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the runway. 皇冠体育app aircraft came to a stop shortly after on the runway. 皇冠体育app pilot was uninjured.

皇冠体育app pilot considered that the late application of cabin heat had most likely caused warm moist air within the cockpit to condense on the windscreen.

皇冠体育app