What happened
The incident occurred during what was documented as the student pilot's first supervised solo flight. The pilot reported that the final approach angle was too shallow. In an effort to correct the descent, the pilot added power. As the aircraft arrived over the runway threshold, the pilot reduced power again. The aircraft landed hard and bounced upon touchdown.
When the aircraft became airborne again after the bounce, the pilot attempted to execute a go-around by adding power. However, the aircraft stalled immediately following this maneuver. The stall resulted in the nose of the aircraft pitching down into the runway surface.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control during the landing phase. Examination of the flight dynamics indicated that the pilot's management of power settings during the final approach and subsequent bounce contributed significantly to the outcome. The transition from a hard landing to an attempted go-around was executed in a manner that led directly to an aerodynamic stall.
Findings
Several critical factors were identified during the review of this event:
- The student pilot experienced difficulty managing power settings during the final approach, resulting in a shallow glide path.
- The aircraft landed hard, causing a bounce that compromised the stability of the aircraft on the runway surface.
- Aerodynamic stall occurred during the go-around attempt, leading to the nose impact with the runway.
The combination of improper power management and the physical dynamics of the bounce created a situation where the pilot could not maintain sufficient airspeed for the go-around maneuver. This event highlights the challenges associated with the first supervised solo flight, particularly in handling unexpected landing outcomes such as bounces.
Safety message
Pilots must be vigilant about maintaining proper approach speeds and power settings. A bounced landing requires careful energy management; attempting a go-around without sufficient airspeed can lead to an immediate stall. Training should emphasize recovery techniques for bounced landings and the critical need for adequate airspeed before adding power for a climb.