What happened
On 10 July 2016, a Cessna 172P Skyhawk, registered G-NWFC, was performing a private flight at North Weald Airfield in Essex. The aircraft was on final approach to Runway 30, maintaining an indicated airspeed of 65 kt with 20 degrees of flaps extended. At the time, the pilot noted wind conditions of 200 degrees at 20 knots.
As the pilot initiated the flare, the aircraft was struck by a sudden gust of wind. This caused the aircraft to drop abruptly onto the runway surface. The impact resulted in the aircraft bouncing back into the air before it eventually settled and came to a stop on the runway. Following the touchdown, the pilot, concerned about potential damage to the nose landing gear, shut down the engine and requested assistance to clear the runway.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the touchdown. The inspection revealed that the nose landing gear fork had been bent, and there was visible damage to the lower fuselage skin and the firewall. The investigation focused on the atmospheric conditions and the aircraft's behavior during the transition from approach to touchdown.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a sudden wind gust during the flare phase of the landing.
- The impact of the aircraft dropping onto the runway caused structural damage to the nose landing gear and the forward fuselage area.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger on board.