Incident Overview
On 9 January 2011 at 16:20 UTC, a Cessna 172J, registration CS-DDS, operated by a private owner, was conducting a training flight. The aircraft had departed from Cascais Municipal Aerodrome and proceeded to the Santa Cruz area to perform landing training at the Torres Vedras Municipal Aerodrome (LPSC).
Sequence of Events
During the landing phase, the aircraft experienced several bounces on the runway, leading to a fracture of the nose gear and contact of the propeller blades with the asphalt. The pilot veered the aircraft to the left, exited the runway, and came to a stop on the adjacent grassy area near the taxiway.
Weather Conditions
The weather at the time was reported as clear sky, visibility greater than 10 km, and variable wind between 260° and 330° at approximately 16 to 20 km/h.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained light damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. No other injuries or fatalities occurred.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as determined by the investigation, was the use of an approach path below the normal glide angle, with excessive power and approach speed. The aircraft was affected by wind shear during the flare, and the pilot failed to correct the trajectory. Reacting instinctively, the pilot aggravated the effect of the downdraft, causing the nose of the aircraft to strike the runway directly, resulting in the nose gear fracture.