What happened
The incident occurred during a local instructional flight involving a bounced landing. The aircraft bounced nose-high to approximately 20 feet above ground level (AGL). After full power was applied and flaps were reduced from 40 degrees to 25 degrees for an attempted go-around at about 50 knots indicated airspeed, the aircraft veered left of the runway. It subsequently struck some rocks located to the left of the runway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing and go-around attempt. The aircraft's behavior was analyzed, particularly its bounce height and subsequent veering off the runway. No mechanical failures were identified as contributing factors.
Findings
The primary finding was that the aircraft bounced during the landing phase, leading to a loss of control during the go-around attempt. The veering left of the runway resulted in the aircraft striking rocks. The instructional nature of the flight suggests that pilot technique may have played a role in the bounce and subsequent loss of control.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of proper landing techniques and the ability to execute a safe go-around. Pilots should be trained to recognize and recover from bounced landings effectively.