What happened
On June 20, 2011, a Socata TB 200, registration CS-DEL, was performing a solo navigation flight from Évora to Portimão. The aircraft, operated by Academia Aeronáutica de Évora, was approaching runway 11 at Portimão Municipal Aerodrome (LPPM) for landing.
During the flare, the student pilot reduced engine power and pulled the nose up, causing the aircraft to balloon slightly. The aircraft touched down on three points but then experienced a second, large-amplitude bounce followed by successive hops. On the third contact with the ground, the impact was violent enough to cause the nose gear to collapse. This led to the propeller striking the asphalt and the aircraft veering off the right side of the runway into the adjacent terrain. The student pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, propeller, and right wing.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation focused on the pilot's maneuvers and the specific characteristics of the Portimão aerodrome. The investigation noted that the student pilot had 53 hours of total flight experience and had only landed at Portimão once before, during a dual-instruction flight. This was the pilot's first solo landing at this location.
Investigators examined the runway configuration, noting that runway 11 is significantly different from other runways the pilot likely used, being shorter and wider. The presence of a hill east of the aerodrome was also noted as a factor that can influence pilot perception and approach stability. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the safety history of the aerodrome, finding a pattern of landing-related incidents involving student pilots from the same operator.
Findings
- The student pilot's decision to continue the landing despite an unstable approach was a primary contributing factor.
- The pilot'used an inadequate piloting technique during the flare, which led to a loss of airspeed and lift, resulting in the heavy impact.
- The pilot lacked sufficient familiarity with the specific characteristics of the Portimão runway.
- The aircraft was in good mechanical condition, and weather conditions (VFR) were favorable for the operation.