What happened
On September 1, 2018, at 16:57 UTC, an An-2TD, registration SP-AOO, was performing a landing on runway 08 at Cambrai-Niergnies Airport (LFYG) in France. The aircraft, operated privately, was carrying two professional pilots and one passenger. The approach was conducted with flaps set to 20 degrees at a speed of 120 km/h under clear skies and light winds.
After touchdown at 85 km/h, the aircraft initially drifted left of the centerline, a movement the pilot corrected. Approximately 140 to 150 meters from the touchdown point, while still in a three-wheel landing configuration, the pilot applied the brakes. This resulted in a sudden forward pitch, bringing the aircraft to a nearly vertical position and tilting it to the left. The propeller, the upper left wingtip, and the lower left wingtip made violent contact with the runway surface. The impact caused the engine to stall and resulted in significant damage to the propeller and airframe. The aircraft came to rest propped up by the deformed propeller and a buckled rear fuselage. All occupants evacuated the aircraft via the cabin door without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted by the PKBWL based on information provided by the pilot and correspondence with the aircraft owner. The French investigation authority, BEA, decided not to launch a formal investigation. The inquiry focused on the sequence of the landing rollout and the physical evidence left on the runway, which included a 16-20 meter skid mark from the main gear and propeller strike marks spanning approximately 3.5 meters.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was pilot error involving excessive application of the brakes.
- The aircraft's high center of gravity made it susceptible to pitch instability during heavy braking.
- The low total mass of the aircraft (consisting of only two crew members and one passenger) contributed to the instability.
- The pilot's limited experience with this specific aircraft type was a contributing factor.