AAIB investigation to Quik GT450, G-CGTU
Struck barrier during landing, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, 21 August 2025
A Quik GT450 flex-wing microlight (G‑CGTU) was damaged during a landing accident at East Fortune Airfield after striking a plastic barrier at the threshold of Runway 11. The pilot, who had recently obtained her microlight rating and was conducting her first flight with a passenger, encountered turbulent conditions while flying a short, noise‑abatement circuit with a limited final approach distance. During the final turn, airspeed decayed below the normal approach range, resulting in the aircraft becoming too low and slow on short final.
A late attempt to initiate a go‑around was unsuccessful, and the aircraft clipped the barrier, causing a propeller blade to separate and damage the right wing, before landing hard and coming to rest on the runway. There were no injuries. The accident was caused by the pilot’s late detection of the aircraft being too low and slow and consequent late decision to go around, with turbulence and the short final approach segment acting as likely contributory factors. After the accident, the airfield introduced a new rule requiring pilots to go around if they are at or below 200 ft during the final turn.
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