Date:	Monday 10 August 2020
Time:	15:15 UTC
Type:	Aeroprakt A22-LS Foxbat
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	G-FXBA
MSN:	LAA 317B-15534
Year of manufacture:	1979
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-H2AD
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Holmbeck Farm, Soulbury Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire -   United Kingdom
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Holmbeck Farm, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
Investigating agency:	AAIB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
AAIB investigation to Aeroprakt A22-LS Foxbat, G-FXBA: Damaged when overturned in a "Hard" landing, Holmbeck Farm Airfield, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire**, 10 August 2020. The official AAIB report was published on 14 January 2021, and the following is an extract from it:

"The accident occurred while landing at Holmbeck Farm Airfield, Buckinghamshire. At the time Runway 11 was in use, the weather was good with a light wind from the southeast and a temperature of 33°C.

Shortly before landing, at about 5-10 feet agl, the aircraft unexpectedly climbed approximately 10 feet. It then descended rapidly, landed firmly, and bounced before landing again. The second landing was on the aircraft’s nosewheel, which collapsed and dug into the grass. The aircraft then pitched forward and came to rest inverted. The pilot isolated the aircraft’s systems and exited the aircraft unhurt with assistance from onlookers.

The pilot stated that he made no conscious control input during the unexpected climb, but witnesses thought he may have instinctively pitched the nose down to counteract it.

The pilot thought the unexpected climb was caused by a gust of wind or a thermal effect caused by the high temperature. He commented that the hard landing was a result of him not initiating a go-around promptly in the short time available, adding that he has learned to be prepared to initiate a go-around at the first sign of anything untoward."

Damage Sustained to airframe
Per the AAIB Report "Damage to nosewheel, propeller, wings and tailplane". The aircraft was repaired and returned to service, and had accumulated a total of 396 flying hours on the airframe as at 12 March 2024

**Note that the AAIB Report states that Holmbeck Farm Airfield is in "Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire" [sic]. However, the airfield is located 1 nautical mile North North-East of RAF Wing (a disused WW2 airfield) which is in Buckinghamshire. The "Bedfordshire" reference probably comes due to the airfield being 2.5 nautical miles West of Leighton Buzzard (which IS in Bedfordshire and is the nearest main town). The airfield has been operational since 1985, and has two grass runways: 11/29 (500 metres) which is the "main" runway, and 15/33 (300 metres). Runway 15/33 is apparently normally used as an emergency runway, (perhaps in high crosswind conditions on 11/29 for example?), and is much narrower than the 11/29 runway.

1. AAIB Final Report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fd8aa598fa8f54d5e4c5421/Aeroprakt_A22-LS_Foxbat_G-FXBA_01-21.pdf
2. https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-FXBA.html
3. https://www.radarbox.com/data/registration/G-FXBA
4. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dartdirx/holmbeck_farm_airfield.html
5. https://www.pilotweb.aero/features/airfield-profile-holmbeck-farm-1-5092263
6. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dartdirx/holmbeck_farm_airfield.html
7. https://airportguide.com/airport/info/AG6250
8. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dartdirx/Holmbeck2.jpg
9. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dartdirx/pool5.jpg
10. https://www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/Holmbeck-Farm

G-FXBA Aeroprakt A22-LS Foxbat upside down at Holmbeck Farm on 10 August 2020 (top right picture)

New year, new bulletin!

AAIB January Bulletin now publishedhttps://t.co/3qQo7V8PKS pic.twitter.com/DBjVMWpRpD

— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) January 14, 2021

G-FXBA Aeroprakt A22-LS Foxbat at Enstone Oxfordshire, 8 August 2020

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
14-Jan-2021 16:15	Dr. John Smith	Added
14-Jan-2021 20:43	harro	Updated [Cn, Operator, Embed code, Accident report, ]
04-Nov-2024 17:50	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Time, Source, Embed code, Narrative, Category, ]