What happened
On August 16, 2023, at 14:02 local time, a student pilot was conducting a solo visual flight training mission from Burgos (LEBG) to Logroño (LERJ). The flight was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in favorable meteorological conditions, with winds from 140° at 5 knots.
During the landing phase on runway 11, the pilot attempted to level the aircraft by lifting the nose while still at an excessive altitude. This maneuver caused the aircraft to lose airspeed and drop onto the runway. The aircraft subsequently bounced, making contact with the pavement a total of three times. During the third impact, the nose gear failed and detached from the airframe. The aircraft veered left of the runway centerline, traveling 130 meters from the point where the wheel detached before coming to a stop. The pilot was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft on his own.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the flight parameters and adherence to established operating procedures. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's flight manual, which specifies that for the final approach, flaps should be set to 40° with an optimal touchdown speed of 51 kt. The investigation also examined the pilot's reported approach speed of 65 kt and the observations made by the air traffic controller, who noted that the aircraft appeared to be approaching with more altitude and speed than is standard for this aircraft type.
Findings
- The pilot performed an approach that did not comply with the aircraft's flight manual procedures.
- The approach speed of 65 kt was excessive for the final stage of landing; while appropriate for the 15° flap setting during the downwind leg, the manual requires 40° flaps and a speed of 51 kt for the final approach.
- The incorrect execution of the landing maneuver was driven by a failure to adhere to operational procedures, specifically involving excessive approach speed, improper flare, and an unsuccessful recovery following the aircraft's bounces.