Hard Landing and Engine Throttle Jam Causes Runway Departure of Robin HR200-100

Casualties unknown • IE

A German-registered Robin HR200-100 experienced a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion at Dowth Hall Airstrip after the nose gear sustained damage and the throttle became stuck.

What happened

On 10 August 2021, a Robin HR200-100, registration D-EIIL, was conducting a flight involving a pilot and an instructor at Dowth Hall Airstrip, Co. Meath. The flight, intended as a refresher for the pilot, had previously completed several touch-and-go landings at Navan Airfield.

During the approach to runway 25 at Dowth Hall, the pilot initiated an early flare. This resulted in a hard touchdown and a subsequent bounce. Upon the second contact with the ground, the aircraft'ed veered to the left and departed the runway surface. During the excursion, the instructor attempted to shut down the engine, but found the throttle could not be moved to the idle position. The aircraft eventually came to rest in the grass 22 meters from the runway centerline. Both occupants were uninjured.

The investigation

The AAIU examined the aircraft's mechanical state and the flight circumstances. The investigation established that the nose landing gear sustained substantial damage, which caused the steering linkage to deviate and the aircraft to veer left. Crucially, the distortion of the nose gear leg caused the throttle linkage to become trapped against a support bracket, preventing the engine from being throttled back.

The investigation also noted that the aircraft, being a German-registered replacement for the club's regular fleet, featured different cockpit labeling (in German) and a different flap setting (30° instead of 20°) compared to the club's usual aircraft. Furthermore, the checklists available on board were for a different variant of the aircraft.

Findings

Several factors contributed to the hard landing and subsequent excursion:

  • The pilot's lack of recent flying experience and unfamiliarity with the Dowth Hall airstrip's upward slope.
  • A potential visual illusion caused by the runway's upslope, leading to an early flare and premature reduction of power.
  • Lack of familiarity with the specific flap settings of the D-EIIL, which caused a more rapid loss of airspeed when power was reduced.
  • The instructor's failure to anticipate difficulties due to the successful preceding landings at Navan Airfield.
  • The physical damage to the nose landing gear, which simultaneously caused the directional deviation and the jamming of the throttle linkage.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by a hard landing resulting from an early flare and power reduction, which led to a nose gear failure that subsequently jammed the engine throttle and caused the aircraft to depart the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the null Robin HR200-100 accident near IE?

A German-registered Robin HR200-100 experienced a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion at Dowth Hall Airstrip after the nose gear sustained damage and the throttle became stuck.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a Robin HR200-100, registration D-EIIL, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by a hard landing resulting from an early flare and power reduction, which led to a nose gear failure that subsequently jammed the engine throttle and caused the aircraft to depart the runway.

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