What happened
On August 3, 2019, at approximately 15:15 local time, a PS-28 Cruiser, registration EC-NCP, was involved in an accident during a solo navigation flight at the Los Oteros aerodrome in León, Spain. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot undergoing an integrated ATPL course, with an instructor monitoring the flight via radio from the ground.
During the landing phase on runway 26, the student pilot struggled to maintain alignment with the runway centerline, only achieving proper alignment as the aircraft passed over the threshold. The pilot reported an approach speed of approximately 60 knots, noting that wind compensation was required due to gusty conditions. Upon touchdown, the aircraft initially contacted the runway on its main gear, but the nose wheel subsequently struck the pavement, initiating a series of bounces. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot moved the control column forward; however, during the third bounce, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to come to a halt on the runway.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight maneuvers, the aircraft's mechanical condition, and the environmental factors. The instructor, who was in radio contact with the student, observed that the approach was misaligned and performed at an excessive speed. The investigation also reviewed the flight school's standard operating procedures, which mandate a 65-knot approach speed with 15 degrees of flaps.
Technical analysis of the aircraft revealed significant damage to the propeller, the engine, the firewall, and the nose and left main landing gear. The investigation also considered the meteorological data, which showed light winds that occasionally exceeded 20 km/h, potentially complicating the student's ability to stabilize the aircraft during the final approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was excessive approach and landing speed, which resulted in three bounces on the runway and the subsequent collapse of the nose gear.
- The approach was misaligned with the runway centerline, as the pilot did not achieve proper alignment until over the runway threshold.
- The student pilot's attempt to push the control column forward during the bounces likely contributed to the instability that led to the gear failure.
- The instructor noted that, given the misalignment and high speed, the correct course of action would have been to execute a go-around.