What happened
On April 29, 2025, a student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country training flight in a PS28 Cruiser, registration SP-GBG, departing from EPBC. The flight was part of a PPL(A) training program, with an instructor monitoring the flight via radio.
During the landing phase at EPBC, the aircraft initially made contact with the main landing gear at a speed of 57 knots. However, the aircraft bounced off the runway surface. Following this bounce, the pilot failed to maintain proper control, leading to a second touchdown specifically on the nose gear at a nose-down angle of approximately -7 degrees. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse and the propeller tips to strike the runway surface. The student pilot exited the aircraft without injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined avionics data, which allowed for the creation of flight animations to reconstruct the final approach and landing phases. The investigation confirmed that the student pilot was properly licensed for solo flight, had completed the necessary pre-flight briefings, and had performed all required weather and NOTAM checks. The instructor was also found to be fully qualified and performing supervisory duties in accordance with operational instructions.
Analysis of the flight data showed that while the approach speed was slightly higher than recommended in the AFM (approximately 15 knots above recommended), it remained within the permissible limits defined by AMC1 FCL.235 (3). The investigation focused on the sequence of the bounce and the subsequent impact on the nose gear.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was pilot error in flight technique, specifically the lack of an appropriate reaction following the aircraft's bounce off the runway.
- Contributing factors included an increased approach speed.
- The student pilot's limited experience in solo flight operations contributed to the event.
- A significant gap in training was noted, as there had been a hiatus of over seventeen months between the student's previous solo flights and this occurrence.