What happened
On 19 July 2005, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk, registration G-WACM, was conducting a private flight from Wycombe Air Park. The pilot, who had recently completed a currency check with an instructor, was returning to the airfield with a passenger following a local flight to Silverstone. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by excellent visibility and broken cumulus clouds at 3,000 ft, though winds were gusting up to 20 kt.
During the approach to Runway 25R, the pilot experienced a delay in landing clearance because another aircraft was still vacating the runway. As the aircraft crossed the M40 motorway near the runway threshold, the airspeed was approximately 75 to 75 kt, which exceeded the recommended approach speed. The aircraft subsequently touched down nose-first, triggering a significant bounce. This led to a series of approximately five additional bounces, causing the aircraft to drift left of the runway centerline and eventually come to a halt on a grass taxiway located between the asphalt and grass runways.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger. The aircraft sustained damage to the right-hand landing gear leg, the lower portion of the firewall, and minor damage to the aft fuselage due to tail strikes.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's recent flying history and the specific circumstances of the approach. It was noted that the pilot's recent flying experience was limited, having flown only 0.7 hours in the 28 days prior to the accident. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's configuration, noting that the pilot had used 20 degrees of flaps rather than the 30 degrees recommended by the manufacturer for landings.
Findings
- The pilot maintained an approach speed that was too high for the prevailing gusty wind conditions.
- The touchdown was nose-first, which initiated the subsequent bouncing sequence.
- The pilot's recent flying frequency was low, having been just outside his 30-day currency period.
- Distractions caused by the late landing clearance and the presence of another aircraft on the runway contributed to the event.
- The pilot used an approach speed increase of 10 to 15 kt, rather than the conventional 5 kt adjustment for wind.