What happened
On 1 February 2002, an Airbus A300B4-605R, registration G-MONS, was performing a positioning flight from Manchester to London Gatwick. The flight was being used for training purposes, with three crew members on board, including a captain undergoing a re-conversion course.
While conducting an ILS approach to Runway 26L, the crew encountered turbulent conditions. During the flare, the pilot flying experienced a sudden drop in the left wing. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the crew applied right aileron and increased engine power. However, the aircraft struck the runway heavily on the left main gear, followed by the right main and nose landing gear. The aircraft then rebounded into the air. Following a nose-down elevator input, the aircraft touched down a second time in a nose-down pitch and right roll attitude. During this second impact, the right engine cowling made contact with the runway surface. The aircraft experienced a third brief bounce before coming to a stop.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight data recorder, which revealed a 10 kt reduction in airspeed immediately preceding touchdown. The data recorded a peak vertical acceleration of 1.96 g during the initial impact. During the second touchdown, the aircraft was at a 2.5-degree nose-down pitch and a 11.25-degree right roll, which was the moment the engine cowling struck the ground.
Post-flight inspections confirmed damage to the underside of the No 2 engine cowling, though no further internal engine damage was found. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's landing mass was 105,000 kg, well within the maximum allowable limit of 140,000 kg. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the airport's aeronautical information, which warns of potential windshear and induced turbulence when landing on Runway 26L/R during strong southerly or southwesterly winds.