What happened
On June 4, 2004, an Aquila AT 01, registration F-GVFP, was returning from a flight originating in Castres to the Toulouse Lasbordes aerodrome. During the approach, the pilot communicated his position near the Delta Sierra holding point. After a brief exchange with air traffic control regarding circuit integration and traffic information, the pilot proceeded with the approach to runway 3ical. The aircraft was configured with landing flaps at an approach speed of 60 knots. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced twice with a significant nose-up attitude between each bounce, eventually striking the runway with high impact before coming to a stop. The impact resulted in damage to the nose gear, the engine cowling, and the propeller.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's flight management and the sequence of the landing impact. Investigators examined the pilot's approach speed and his failure to account for the wind component. The investigation also looked into the pilot's mental state and the influence of radio communications during the final stages of the flight. It was established that the pilot did not increase his approach speed to compensate for the wind, despite the flight manual's recommendation to do so to prevent a stall at low altitude. Furthermore, the pilot reported that he only perceived the final bounce and believed he had successfully corrected the aircraft's attitude.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a hard landing characterized by multiple bounces and the subsequent failure of the nose gear.
- The pilot failed to adjust the approach speed to account for the headwind component, which is a standard procedure to mitigate wind fluctuations.
- The pilot's attention was disrupted by interactions with the air traffic controller regarding his circuit entry.
- Pilot fatigue and a lack of concentration contributed to the inadequate management of the aircraft's speed during the final approach and the flare maneuver.