What happened
On 2 September 2013, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk, registration G-YFZT, was performing a private flight at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire. During the landing phase on grass Runway 29, the aircraft was approaching at approximately 70 kt with full flaps selected, under northwest wind conditions of less-than 8 mph. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced.
Following the bounce, the pilot noted that the elevator controls felt unusually stiff, though no other immediate anomalies were identified. After the flight, a post-landing walk-round inspection by the pilot initially showed no obvious external damage. However, a subsequent inspection by an engineer revealed that the propeller had struck the runway surface. This impact caused rippling in the firewall and the front floor panels, which was the source of the control stiffness.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances of the landing. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the firewall, and the front floor panels. The pilot noted that the recommended final approach speed for this configuration is 65 kt, and he had been flying at 70 kt. The pilot also suggested that the uneven surface of the grass runway may have contributed to the instability during the landing sequence.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a bounce during the landing phase.
- The propeller strike caused structural deformation to the floor panels and firewall.
- The pilot's approach speed was higher than the recommended 65 kt.
- There was a possibility that an early flare contributed to the bounce.
- The uneven nature of the grass runway surface may have been a contributing factor.