What happened
On 23 June 2018, a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration EI-WAT, was conducting a solo cross-country navigation exercise. The flight, operated by a student pilot, was traveling from Waterford Airport via Shannon and Cork. During the approach to runway 16 at Cork Airport, the aircraft's flight path became unstable. As the aircraft crossed the runway threshold, the nose pitched up while the airspeed continued to decay. This led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the right wing to drop and strike the runway surface. The impact triggered a rotation of the aircraft, causing the nose gear and left main gear to detach. The aircraft came to rest approximately 46.8 meters from the threshold. The student pilot exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The AAIU examined radar data, CCTV footage, and witness marks on the runway. The investigation reviewed the student pilot's training records and flight experience, noting that while the pilot had performed successful landings at other airports, they had not previously landed on runway 16 at Cork. Investigators also interviewed the air movements controller, who observed that the aircraft appeared unstable and seemed to be flying as if experiencing high winds despite light surface conditions. The physical inspection of the aircraft revealed that the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair, with significant damage to both wings, the propeller, and the landing gear.
Findings
- The approach to runway 16 was unstable, characterized by a continuous loss of airspeed.
- The pilot's attention to airspeed was insufficient during the final stages of the approach.
- The aircraft stalled in level flight approximately 15 feet above the runway surface.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific visual environment at Cork Airport, including the rising terrain near the threshold and the wider appearance of the runway due to taxiway fillets, contributed to an improper flare and an unstable descent.