Incident Details
On 2 September 2013, at approximately 1450 UTC, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk, registration G-YFZT, experienced a hard landing on grass Runway 29 at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire. The wind was from the northwest at less than 8 mph. The pilot reported that after a good final approach at 70 knots with full flap selected, the aircraft bounced on touchdown. Following the bounce, the pilot noted that the elevator controls felt stiff. After parking, a walk-round inspection revealed no apparent damage. However, later examination by an engineer identified rippling of the front floor panels and firewall, along with evidence of a propeller strike on the runway surface.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172S Skyhawk, manufactured in 2004 (serial number 172S9587), powered by a single Lycoming IO-360-L2A piston engine. The flight was private, with one pilot and one passenger on board. The 67-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 226 total flying hours, including 122 hours on type. His recent flying experience included 6 hours in the last 90 days and 3 hours in the last 28 days.
Damage and Findings
Damage was confined to the front floor panels, the firewall, and the propeller. The stiff elevator controls were attributed to the distortion of the floor panels and firewall. The pilot suggested that the recommended final approach speed for full flap configuration is 65 knots, and he believed that a slightly slower approach speed might have been beneficial. He also thought that flaring too early and the uneven nature of the runway surface could have contributed.