A microlight crashed on a Western Isles beach after a bird hit its windscreen.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have published a report into the incident, which happened on July 15 this year near Hushinish on Harris at 12pm.
The Quik R type (CORR) microlight was “badly damaged” to its wing structure and sail in the accident after the 43-year-old pilot was forced to attempt to land on the beach.
The aircraft had departed Sollas on North Uist and was flying north at a height of between 500ft to 700ft along the west coast of Harris.
After passing Hushinish the pilot chose to fly over the channel between Harris and the Isle of Scarp in order to remain clear of birds along the cliffs.
However, a bird struck the windscreen causing part of it to detach.
In a report published this morning, the AAIB said: “Due to the risk of the remaining part of the windscreen breaking away and striking the propeller, the pilot elected to carry out a precautionary landing on the beach.
“While the sand appeared to be firm, on landing the wheels sunk into the sand and the aircraft tipped over onto its sail.
“While both occupants were uninjured, the wing structure and fabric were badly damaged.”
The AAIB report was compiled following an incident report submitted by the pilot.
The agency have made no recommendations following the incident.