What happened
On 30 July 2020, a PS-28 CRUISER, registration EC-NAP, operated by FLYBYSCHOOL, FLYBAI, S.L., was performing a solo instructional flight at Burgos Airport (LEBG). The flight was the student pilot's first solo mission, authorized for three take-offs and landings.
After successfully completing two cycles, the student attempted a third landing. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a hard landing and bounced twice on the runway. The pilot responded by initiating a go-around to attempt a new approach. During this final approach, the aircraft was traveling at an excessive speed of approximately 68 to 69 knots, which exceeded the school's established approach speed of 60 knots.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft again experienced a hard impact and several bounces. The force of these impacts caused the nose gear fork to detach from the assembly. The aircraft then slid along the runway on its deformed nose leg until it came to a complete stop. The student pilot, who was unharmed, evacuated the aircraft following a temporary loss of radio communications.
The investigation
The CIAIAC examined the aircraft wreckage, maintenance records, and flight data recorded by the Dynon SkyView HDX1100 system. The investigation analyzed the meteorological conditions, which were within acceptable limits, and reviewed the operational context, noting that another aircraft from the same school was simultaneously experiencing an engine and communications failure on an opposing runway.
Data analysis confirmed that the aircraft experienced a maximum vertical acceleration of 2.6 g during touchdown, exceeding the maximum positive load factor limit of 2 g for this aircraft type with flaps extended. The investigation also reviewed the training organization's recent history, noting that four similar incidents involving solo flights in this aircraft type had occurred within a single year.