What happened
On August 30, 2022, a CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT PS28 CRUISER, registration EC-NKN, was involved in an accident during a solo instructional flight at Madrid/Cuatro Vientos Airport (LECU). The flight was part of a solo cross-country training exercise for a Private Pilot License (PPL).
During the flight, the student pilot experienced significant stress due to turbulence and previous navigation difficulties earlier in the day. While approaching the runway, the aircraft was unstable, with the pilot making continuous adjustments to power, speed, and descent rate. The landing flare was performed at 51 KIAS, which was more than 2/5ths above the speed established by the flight school's procedures. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced three times. Following the first bounce, the pilot attempted to force the nose down, which induced increasing oscillations. During the third and final bounce, the vertical acceleration reached 3.5g, causing the nose landing gear to collapse. The impact caused the propeller blades to strike the runway, resulting in one blade breaking off.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined flight data from the aircraft's Dynon SkyView system, which recorded parameters such as airspeed, vertical acceleration, and pitch angle. The investigation also reviewed communications between the student pilot and the air traffic controller, as well as interviews with the pilot and the flight instructor.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's maintenance records and the flight school's operational manuals. The investigation also looked into the student pilot's psychological state, noting that the pilot had expressed high levels of stress to the instructor via telephone prior to the landing. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in a proper mechanical condition and that the weather conditions were not a contributing factor.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to adhere to landing procedures, which led to pitch oscillations and the subsequent collapse of the nose gear.
- The student pilot performed the landing flare at a speed significantly higher than the established limits.
- The student pilot made an inadequate decision to continue the landing attempt rather than executing a