What happened
The flight was conducted as part of the FAA Wings Program, which involves a second pilot acting as an observer to provide feedback and ensure safety during training exercises. During this specific session, the primary pilot was practicing landing techniques at an airport. While approaching the runway for a landing, the pilot lowered the aircraft's nose to an angle that was too steep for the current flight conditions.
This excessive pitch-down attitude on short final caused the aircraft to descend at a rate that was too rapid for a safe touchdown. Despite efforts to arrest the descent before impact, the aircraft struck the runway with significant force. The hard landing resulted in immediate structural failure of the right main landing gear strut.
The investigation
Post-accident examination confirmed that the primary damage was limited to the landing gear assembly. The right main gear strut failed due to the excessive loads generated by the hard impact. No other mechanical failures were reported prior to the event, and the aircraft's systems functioned normally until the moment of touchdown.
Findings
The accident sequence was directly linked to pilot technique during the final phase of flight. Key factors included:
- Excessive nose-down pitch on short final approach
- High rate of descent that could not be arrested in time
- Hard landing impact leading to structural failure of the right main gear strut
The presence of an observer did not prevent the error, as the maneuver was executed by the primary pilot without intervention before the critical phase of landing.
Safety message
Pilots practicing under the Wings Program should remain vigilant about pitch control and descent rates on final approach. Maintaining proper airspeed and glide path is essential to avoid hard landings that can damage aircraft structure. Observers are encouraged to provide timely feedback during practice sessions to help pilots recognize and correct technique errors before they result in accidents.