Cessna 172P Skyhawk Hard Landing at Svolvær Helle Airport (LN-ZLV)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 9 July 2019, at 17:15 local time, a Cessna Aircraft Company 172P Skyhawk, registration LN-ZLV, was involved in an accident at Svolvær Helle Airport (ENSH). The 1981 aircraft, powered by a Teledyne Continental O-360-A2F engine, was owned by a share association and operated by Lofoten flyklubb. The flight was a private club sightseeing tour in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, with the pilot-in-command and two passengers on board. ## Sequence of Events The pilot-in-command, a 72-year-old flight instructor with 12,500 total flight hours, allowed a passenger in the right seat to taxi and attempt the takeoff. The passenger had previously completed a theory exam and had 35 hours of student flight time on a Piper PA28. During the takeoff roll on runway 01, the passenger pulled the control stick, but it was locked. The aircraft lifted two to three meters into the air before settling back onto the runway, a sequence that repeated several times. The pilot-in-command initially misinterpreted the situation, believing the passenger had lowered the nose. Upon taking control, the pilot discovered the controls were locked. While attempting to remove the control lock with his right hand, the passenger continued to pull the stick, preventing the lock from being released. The pilot immediately reduced the throttle to idle, causing the aircraft to sink nose-first onto the runway, resulting in a hard landing. The pilot applied maximum braking and stopped the aircraft in the northeastern part of the airport area. ## Damage and Response The aircraft sustained significant damage to the firewall, adjacent fuselage, nose gear, and propeller. One runway edge light was also damaged. Based on the estimated repair costs relative to the insurance value, the aircraft was deemed economically unrepairable and was sold abroad. All three occupants exited the aircraft uninjured. Avinor's ground, fire, and rescue services responded rapidly, with the leader vehicle and a fire truck dispatched within 15 and 14 seconds, respectively, after the aircraft came to rest. ## Contributing Factors The investigation revealed that the previous pilot had installed the control lock incorrectly, hiding it behind a GPS and a tablet mounted on the control stick. A correctly installed lock would have prevented easy access to the ignition and main power switches. The pilot-in-command acknowledged that he did not use the aircraft's checklists or check the flight controls before the flight. The Cessna 172 Pilot Operating Handbook requires the control wheel lock to be removed and flight controls to be tested as free and correct before takeoff. ## Regulatory Context and Safety Observations European regulations, specifically Part-NCO.GEN.105, require the pilot-in-command to ensure that the aircraft's checklists are used. Part-NCO.IDE.100 further states that instruments and equipment must be easily accessible and that extra equipment must not hinder airworthiness. The placement of the GPS and tablet on the control stick raised questions regarding compliance with these rules. The Norwegian accident investigation authority (SHT) noted that the pilot's decision not to use the checklist was a significant contributing factor to the accident. The report highlighted the importance of consistent checklist usage and noted that the aircraft came close to the sea at the northeastern end of the airport area; had the aborted takeoff occurred slightly later, the aircraft would likely have ended up in the water. No safety recommendations were issued in connection with this investigation.