What happened
On August 9, 2018, a student pilot was conducting his first solo flight at Bern-Belp Airport (LSZB) under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The flight was part of a training syllabus for a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)). Prior to the solo flight, the pilot had completed a supervised check flight with an instructor, which was deemed satisfactory.
After completing the first circuit, the pilot initiated an approach that was too high, leading to a hard touchdown on the runway. The aircraft bounced, prompting the pilot to execute a go-around. During this maneuver, the aircraft veered sharply to the left. The aircraft entered a high bank angle at a low altitude and struck the ground near taxiway A, eventually coming to rest beneath the wing of a parked commercial aircraft. The pilot escaped without injury, but the Aero AT-3 R100, registration HB-SRB, was destroyed. The incident also caused minor damage to the parked aircraft and a small amount of fuel spillage on the ground.
The investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) examined the flight sequence, the pilot's training progress, and the aircraft's technical condition. The investigation included flight tests of the Aero AT-3 R100 type to identify any inherent handling characteristics. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure, external disturbances, or adverse weather conditions, as the weather was clear with light winds. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits.
Findings
- The pilot initiated a go-around following a hard landing and a bounce.
- The aircraft's engine, a Rotax 912 S2 with a right-turning propeller, caused a leftward yaw during the rapid increase in power.
- The investigation established that the aircraft type has a tendency to roll left during a go-around near stall speeds, particularly when power is applied quickly.
- The primary cause of the accident was unsuitable control inputs by the pilot during and after the application of increased power.
Safety action
Following this second accident involving the same aircraft type at this airport, the flight school instructed all instructors to ensure students practice managing the aircraft's behavior during go-arounds with rapid power applications at a safe altitude.