What happened
On September 9, 2013, a Piper Aircraft PA-19, registration LN-ACL, was involved in a landing accident at Gjerstad gård, a private grass airstrip in Sør-Odal, Norway. The flight, conducted for training purposes, involved a solo pilot flying from Kjeller airport through several other grass strips before arriving at the Gjerstad site.
During the approach to runway 01, the pilot initially aborted the landing because the aircraft felt too high and fast. On the second attempt, the pilot approached at approximately 55 knots, exceeding the recommended final approach speed of 4eler48 knots. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced multiple times. In an attempt to maintain the nose position, the pilot applied throttle, which caused the aircraft to veer left. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude and veered off the runway into an adjacent cornfield, where the momentum caused the aircraft to flip onto its back.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the aircraft, the landing site, and the pilot's training records. The investigation focused on the sequence of bounces and the pilot's use of engine power during the landing phase. Investigators also reviewed the training curriculum and recent flight experience of the pilot, specifically regarding tailwheel-specific maneuvers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to utilize correct landing techniques for a tailwheel aircraft.
- The pilot approached the landing with excessive energy, leading to a series of bounces rather than a stabilized three-point landing.
- The application of throttle to hold the nose up, without corresponding rudder corrections, induced a leftward yaw.
- The pilot's proficiency was compromised by a lack of continuity in training; the tailwheel checkout was completed in two separate periods with a one-year gap, and the final 38 landings were performed in a single day, preventing the skills from being properly internalized.
- The aircraft's center of gravity, located behind the main wheels, contributed to the tendency of the tail to drop and the nose to pitch forward following the impact.
Safety action
Following the accident, the Nedre Romerike Flyklubb implemented several new operational procedures to mitigate similar risks:
- Pilots with fewer than 30 tailwheel hours must have completed a flight within the last 30 days (previously 90 days).
- Tailwheel checkout programs must be completed within the same calendar year to ensure continuity.
- Club aircraft are restricted to approved airfields, specifically those listed in the Jeppesens VFR manual.
- The club also recommended that pilots of vintage aircraft consider wearing helmets to prevent head injuries during such incidents.