Incident Overview
A serious incident involving a Tecnam P2008 JC aircraft, registration SP-TOK, occurred on 24 February 2024 at Mirosławice Airport (EPMR) during a solo training flight for a Private Pilot License (PPL). The aircraft was operated by a student pilot under the supervision of an instructor, who was monitoring the flight from the ground.
Sequence of Events
The student had previously completed six dual training flights with the instructor, performing circuits and approaches. After a break, the student commenced solo flights. During the fourth solo circuit, while on final approach for landing, the student initiated the flare too late. The aircraft touched down on all three wheels and bounced. In an attempt to correct the bounce, the student applied excessive forward pressure on the control column, moving the elevator beyond neutral. The instructor, observing from the ground, was unable to provide radio guidance in time. The aircraft then landed hard on its nose wheel, causing the nose gear fork to fracture. The student did not sustain any injuries.
Findings
The investigation established that the incident resulted from an error in piloting technique, specifically:
- A late flare during the roundout, leading to a hard three-point landing and subsequent bounce.
- An improper correction of the bounce, where the student pushed the control column too far forward.
Cause
Pilot error in technique: late flare during roundout resulting in hard three-point landing and bounce, and improper correction of the bounce.
Safety Actions
Following the incident, the organization's accountable manager reviewed the event with the student, discussing common landing errors and corrective techniques. The student completed additional training flights. A briefing was held with the training personnel, emphasizing the instructor's role in supervising solo flights. The incident is to be discussed at the annual Aviation Safety Conference.