Incident Sequence
On 29 May 2006, at approximately 11:00 UTC, a Cessna 152 (registration CS-AYK) operated by Nortávia – Transportes Aéreos, S.A., was conducting a solo navigation training flight from Vilar da Luz aerodrome. During the approach to runway 05 at Santarém aerodrome, the pilot, a student with limited experience at that aerodrome, maintained the recommended speed (70 MPH) and stabilized on a normal glide path with 10° flaps. After overflying the IC10 viaduct, he selected landing flaps (30°) and continued with reduced power, increasing the descent rate to aim for the normal touchdown point.
The aircraft touched down at the intersection with the first taxiway but with excessive speed, causing it to become airborne again. The pilot forced the aircraft onto the runway near the second taxiway, striking the nosewheel hard. The impact fractured the nosewheel fork at the wheel axle attachment, and the nosewheel separated.
Realizing damage to the nose landing gear but unaware of its extent, the pilot initiated a go-around. He applied power, selected carburetor heat cold, and gradually retracted flaps. He climbed left and set up a new approach for runway 23, executing a sort of reversal turn. He entered final approach at approximately 60 MPH and aimed to touch down at the runway threshold.
The aircraft landed in the second third of the runway and rolled several meters until the propeller struck the asphalt, damaging the blade tips. The aircraft came to rest about 20 meters before the taxiway intersection.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 152, a single-engine, high-wing, fixed tricycle-gear monoplane with a maximum takeoff mass of 757 kg. It was powered by a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine (110 BHP) and a Sensenich fixed-pitch, two-blade metal propeller. Total airframe hours were 9201:55; the last inspection was on 25 May 2006.
The pilot, a 30-year-old Portuguese male, held a student pilot authorization (PLAA No. 35/05) with a valid medical examination dated 19 April 2006. His total flight experience was 93:05 hours, with 30:30 hours in the last 90 days and 13:20 in the last 30 days. He had performed one landing in the preceding 24 hours.
Damage
The aircraft sustained light damage to the propeller and a fracture of the nose landing gear fork. The engine was not significantly damaged because it was operating at low RPM at the time of impact. No third-party damage occurred.
Analysis
The approach to runway 05 was high, likely due to the pilot's unfamiliarity with the aerodrome. To correct, he lowered the nose, increasing speed and descent rate. As he neared the ground, he reduced the descent rate, but the excess speed caused the aircraft to float. The pilot then forced the landing, resulting in a high-speed impact that fractured the nose gear. The go-around decision, while appropriate after the damage, came after the initial forced landing. The pilot should have initiated a go-around when he realized the approach was high and unstable.
Probable Cause
The high approach to runway 05, combined with the pilot's limited experience at that aerodrome, led to a forced landing that caused the nose gear fracture.