What happened
On 13 January 2009, an Agusta A109 A2, registration N745HA, was engaged in a type rating training flight at Fairoaks Airport. The flight involved a simulated double engine failure exercise, which required the student pilot to perform an autorotation followed by a powered recovery using Runway 24. The procedure dictated that both engine Speed Select Levers (SSLs) should be returned to the flight idle position by 500 ft agl, with a flare planned at approximately 120 ft to transition into a hover.
During the maneuver, the aircraft was established in autorotation at roughly 75 kt. As the aircraft approached the runway, it became evident that the student was unable to meet the required aiming point. The instructor intervened to provide corrective guidance. During this period of instruction, the instructor failed to reinstate the SSLs to the flight idle position. Consequently, the aircraft could not achieve the intended hover and instead performed an unauthorized autorotation to landing, resulting in a run-on landing on the grass area adjacent to the runway. There were no injuries to the two crew members.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the training maneuver and the mechanical state of the aircraft following the event. While the touchdown itself appeared normal, with a short landing run of three to four metres and no excessive vertical or lateral forces, the aircraft was moved to a parking area for a precautionary inspection. Upon shutdown, it was discovered that the retractable nose landing gear had collapsed, with the extension strut resting against the underside of the fuselage. The pilot believed the damage likely occurred due to the impact of the short run on the softer ground of the grass area.
Findings
- The instructor was distracted by the necessity of providing verbal instruction to the student, which led to the failure to advance the SSLs.
- The failure to reinstate the SSLs to the flight idle position in a timely manner prevented the intended hover recovery.
- The nose landing gear sustained damage due to the aircraft's contact with the soft ground during the landing run.