AAIB investigation to Jabiru SK, G-OJAB
Nose landing gear collapse after landing, Higham (Private strip), Kent, 25 July 2018.
Summary:
The aircraft was operating a private flight from Southery Airfield, Norfolk to a private strip at Higham, Kent. The pilot had not been to Higham before, so he overflew the strip to assess the runway and radioed the owner to determine if it was clear for him to land. The pilot reported that the aircraft landed approximately ¼ of the distance along Runway 17 and, given the short runway length, he applied the brakes firmly. He reported that the braking force was greater than expected, which he attributed to the hard, dry surface conditions. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot was uninjured and exited the aircraft without assistance. He considered that the sudden braking had put excess force on the nose landing gear leg, causing it to fail. He commented that in future he would apply less than full braking force, or apply the brakes in small bursts if more urgent braking was required.
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