What happened
The incident occurred during nighttime operations when the aircraft attempted to land. The pilot reported that he flared too high during the approach, leading to a hard touchdown. Following the initial impact, the airplane bounced twice before veering off the runway. During this excursion, the aircraft struck several airport lights and signs. The pilot subsequently attempted to abort the landing but was unable to recover control or stop the aircraft in time.
The investigation
Post-accident examination focused on the mechanical condition of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the landing. The pilot's report indicated that the primary issue stemmed from an excessive flare height, which prevented a proper recovery from the bounced landing sequence. No mechanical failures were cited as contributing factors to the loss of control during the excursion.
Findings
The accident was primarily caused by the pilot's decision to flare too high, resulting in a hard landing and subsequent bounce. The inability to recover from this bounced landing led to the runway excursion. Contributing factors included the nighttime conditions and the pilot's unsuccessful attempt to abort the landing after the initial bounce.
Safety message
Pilots should be cautious of excessive flare heights during landing, particularly at night when depth perception can be compromised. Proper technique is essential to avoid bounced landings that may lead to loss of control or runway excursions.