What happened
On March 31, 2022, a Cessna 172P Skyhawk, registration OY-CTV, was performing a private VFR flight at Kolding/Vamdrup (EKVD). The aircraft, carrying two occupants, was on final approach to runway 07 in a landing configuration with flaps set to 30 degrees.
During the approach, the pilot encountered turbulent wind conditions. The pilot failed to sufficiently correct for the headwind, causing the aircraft's touchdown point to shift short of the runway threshold. Before the pilot could adjust the approach, turbulence pushed the aircraft into an upward-sloping earthen mound located approximately 34 meters before the runway threshold. The main landing gear struck the mound, which increased the relative sink angle and subjected the airframe to loads exceeding its certified design limits. The impact caused the aircraft to pitch forward, striking the mound with the nosewheel before the aircraft briefly became airborne and landed again without further incident.
The investigation
An investigation by the Danish Accident Investigation Board established that while the pilot had successfully landed on the same runway under similar wind conditions earlier that day, the combination of turbulence and inadequate wind correction led to the collision.
Post-accident inspections revealed that the impact had caused buckling deformations on the underside of both wings, extending from the wing roots toward the struts. Additionally, structural damage was identified in the fuselage near the rear door stops and the main landing gear attachment structure. Investigators noted that these specific structural damages were likely not detectable by the pilot during a standard pre-flight visual inspection, emphasizing the necessity of certified maintenance personnel for thorough inspections.
Findings
- Insufficient correction for headwind combined with turbulent wind conditions likely caused the aircraft to strike the mound before reaching the runway threshold.
- The main landing gear impact with the upward-sloping mound exceeded the aircraft's certified design loads.
- The aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer limits, and the landing distance required was within the available runway length when applying standard safety factors.