Event Details
On 4 November 2017, at 1415 UTC, a Cessna R172K Hawk XP, registration G-XPII, was involved in a landing accident at Nottingham City Airport. The flight was a training sortie with a qualified pilot receiving instruction from the right seat. The first approach to land resulted in a go-around because the aircraft was too high and too slow. During the latter part of the second circuit, the airspeed fluctuated, and the instructor prompted the pilot several times when the speed reduced towards the targeted minimum. At approximately 20-30 feet above the ground with a low power setting, the pilot began to flare, causing the aircraft to decelerate further and sink. The instructor took control but was unable to prevent the aircraft from striking the ground heavily and bouncing before the landing was completed.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a 1979 Cessna R172K Hawk XP, serial number R172-3071, powered by one Continental Motors Corp IO-360-KB piston engine. The commander held a Private Pilot's Licence, was 58 years old, and had 691 hours total flying experience, of which 82 hours were on type. His flying experience in the last 90 days was 15 hours, and in the last 28 days, 7 hours. The instructor was also on board, along with one passenger.
Injuries and Damage
None of the crew were injured. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft suffered damage including distortion of the engine frame and firewall, creasing of the left outer wing, and skin damage to the lower forward fuselage.
Operational Aspects
After the flight, the aircraft was found to be damaged. The pilot undergoing training stated that she had difficulty monitoring the airspeed indicator from the right seat. The instructor assessed that the pilot was unaware the aircraft was high and slow at the beginning of the landing flare because of being unfamiliar with flying from this seat.