History of the Flight
On 29 May 2019, a Cessna 172S departed from Antwerp/Deurne airport for a proficiency check flight to Genk/Zwartberg aerodrome. The flight was conducted by an applicant pilot and a flight examiner. After two normal touch-and-go landings on runway 21, the examiner simulated an engine failure abeam the landing position at 1000 ft. The applicant set the aircraft to best glide speed. During the turn toward the aiming point, variations in true airspeed occurred due to updrafts and downdrafts. The examiner expressed uncertainty about reaching the runway. After an updraft above a ploughed field, the applicant selected flaps 10°. Over a wooded zone, a downdraft was encountered, and the applicant indicated they could not make the landing point. The applicant added power but the examiner requested idle power. The examiner selected flaps 20° and then flaps 30°, insisting to continue. The aircraft landed on the aiming point, but a tail strike occurred, felt by both occupants. A go-around was executed, followed by a full-stop landing at Genk/Zwartberg. After inspection, they returned to Antwerp/Deurne.
Aircraft Damage
Immediately after the event, visual inspection showed chafing damage. During the next scheduled inspection at 100 flight hours, after the aircraft had accumulated another 96 flight hours, it was determined that the aft section bulkhead (to which the vertical fin is attached) was damaged and had to be replaced. The aircraft damage was classified as minor.
Pilot Information
The applicant held a Private Pilot License with a Single Engine Piston rating that had expired on 31 January 2019. The applicant had 58 hours 30 minutes as pilot-in-command and 77 hours 12 minutes dual. In the last 90 days, the applicant had logged 1 hour 48 minutes dual, which was a refresher training flight on 15 May 2019. The flight examiner held an Airline Transport Pilot License and a Flight Examiner rating. The examiner had 15,485 hours total time, including over 4,200 hours on SEP aircraft and over 1,100 hours on the Cessna 172.
Meteorological Information
METAR reports from nearby airports (Liège and Kleine Brogel) around the time of the occurrence indicated visibility greater than 10 km, scattered clouds at 4,800-4,900 ft, temperature about 18°C, and barometric pressure 1021 hPa. Wind speed was a maximum of 6 kt with variable direction, providing some headwind and variable crosswind at runway 21. No widespread gusts were reported.
Airfield Information
Genk/Zwartberg aerodrome is located 5 km north of Genk and has a 799 m long asphalt runway oriented 034°/214°. The traffic pattern is published by a private company and includes limitations due to a nearby military restricted area to the north. The airfield elevation is 278 ft.