Nose gear collapse during landing bounce in Czech Aircraft PS-28 Cruiser

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto de Son Bonet (Illes Balears), ES

A student pilot's solo training flight ended in a nose gear collapse at Son Bonet aerodrome after the aircraft bounced multiple times during landing.

What happened

On June 9, 2022, a Czech Aircraft PS-28 Cruiser, registration EC-NQA, was performing a solo instructional flight near the island of Mallorca. The student pilot had originally planned a two-hour local navigation flight but decided to return to Son Bonet aerodrome due to reduced visibility encountered during the flight.

During the landing phase on runway 23, the aircraft touched down on all three wheels. However, due to a combination of factors, the nose wheel lifted off the surface and the aircraft began to bounce. The pilot attempted to apply power to execute a go-around, but the aircraft failed to climb and continued to bounce along the runway. During the third bounce, the nose gear collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the pavement. The aircraft slid approximately 200 meters before coming to a stop. The pilot was uninjured.

The investigation

The investigation examined the flight parameters, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental conditions. It was established that the aircraft was operating with a nose gear that failed under the stress of repeated impacts. The investigation also noted that the student pilot's Class 1 medical certificate had expired on March 4, 2022, making the solo flight unauthorized under current regulations.

At the time of the accident, the instructor was present on the ramp and observed the bouncing sequence. The instructor attempted to instruct the pilot via radio to execute a go-around, but the instruction was delivered too late to prevent the gear collapse. Meteorological data indicated high winds, with a reported intensity of 24 knots during the landing.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect execution of the recovery maneuver during multiple bounces on the runway, which led to the collapse of the nose gear.
  • The student pilot was flying with an expired medical certificate.
  • High wind conditions (24 knots) were present during the landing.
  • The instructor's radio instruction to perform a go-around occurred after the critical sequence of bounces had already compromised the aircraft's structural integrity.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to properly manage the aircraft during a series of bounces on the runway, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-06-09 CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT modelo PS-28 CRUISER accident near Aeropuerto de Son Bonet (Illes Balears), ES?

A student pilot's solo training flight ended in a nose gear collapse at Son Bonet aerodrome after the aircraft bounced multiple times during landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-06-09 involved a CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT modelo PS-28 CRUISER, registration EC-NQA, at Aeropuerto de Son Bonet (Illes Balears), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to properly manage the aircraft during a series of bounces on the runway, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear.

Loading the flight search…