Accident Summary
On Sunday 26 June 2011 at 19:30 local time, a Cessna 172S registered F-GLLF, operated by a flying club, was on a local flight from Haguenau aerodrome (Bas-Rhin). The pilot and one passenger had been airborne for about two hours. The pilot joined the downwind leg for runway 03, a paved runway measuring 945 m by 18 m. He configured the aircraft for landing with flaps extended and an approach speed of approximately 60 to 65 knots, as specified in the pilot's operating handbook (stall speed with flaps is 48 knots). He reduced power completely about 200 meters before the threshold after passing a line of trees. On short final, the speed was around 55 knots.
Sequence of Events
During the flare after crossing the runway threshold, the stall warning sounded and the aircraft stalled. The main landing gear struck the runway hard, and the airplane bounced twice. The pilot then applied power and initiated a go-around. However, he reconsidered due to the presence of trees at the far end of the runway. He reduced power and pushed the control yoke forward. The nosewheel struck the runway hard and collapsed. The aircraft came to a stop in a nose-down attitude (en pylône) midway down the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Background
The pilot had accumulated approximately 330 total flight hours, with 35 hours on the Cessna 172 type. His previous two flights in a Cessna had occurred in September 2010 and October 2009. The pilot believed that his lack of recent practice in a high-wing aircraft contributed significantly to the accident. Following the accident, the club revised its operating rules, requiring a check flight with an instructor for any pilot who had not flown a given type for more than three months.
Conclusion and Probable Cause
The accident was attributed to a late decision to go around during an unstabilized approach in speed and path. The first hard landing resulted from a premature power reduction. The pilot then conducted the approach and flare solely by varying the aircraft's pitch, allowing the speed to decrease until the stall. The damage to the nosewheel was caused by an inappropriate and hasty forward control input when the pilot changed his plan and decided to abort the go-around. The pilot's lack of recent practice on the type likely deprived him of visual cues needed to assess whether a go-around was feasible after the initial bounces.