What happened
On April 1, 2001, a Cessna 172M, registration I-CCAQ, was conducting a recreational flight from Milan Bresso to Asiago Airport. During the approach to runway 08, the pilot requested landing instructions and was cleared to proceed on final. However, the aircraft's flight path brought it into contact with the grassy terrain located just before the paved threshold of the runway.
As the aircraft transitioned onto the runway, the nose gear collapsed. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce and subsequently slide approximately 75 meters on its nose gear strut. There were no fatalities or injuries among the three occupants, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a deformed firewall and a damaged propeller.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's airworthiness, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's flight preparation. The investigation included a flight test using a similar aircraft type to replicate the landing conditions at Asiago.
Investigators analyzed the impact marks, which showed the main wheels and nose gear had struck the grass several meters before the pavement. The investigation also reviewed the airport's specific characteristics, noting that the runway has a gradient exceeding 2% and is situated in a complex orographic environment with nearby obstacles. The pilot's recent flight experience was also reviewed, noting that while the pilot was qualified, much of the recent flying had been performed in different aircraft types.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error in altitude assessment during the final approach.
- The pilot was unfamiliar with the specific characteristics of Asiago Airport and had not adequately studied the local terrain or the runway's gradient during flight planning.
- The pilot reported disorientation regarding the aircraft's height, noting that the plane appeared too high at a distance and too low when approaching the runway.
- The complex surrounding topography and the runway's slope likely contributed to the difficulty in maintaining the correct glide path.
- The aircraft was in an airworthy condition, and the weight and balance were within limits at the time of the event.