What happened
On 30 July 2011, a Cessna 182, registration D-ERKX, was conducting a private sightseeing flight in Cornwall. During the approach to the grass runway 25 at Lands End Airfield, the pilot noted the approach speed was slightly high. The aircraft was light and encountered an upslope near the touchdown zone, which resulted in a significant bounce upon initial contact with the runway.
Following the bounce, the aircraft re-entered the air. The pilot was unable to execute a go-around, either due to the initial approach speed or the circumstances following the bounce. Consequently, the nose of the aircraft dropped heavily, causing the nose landing gear to collapse. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway centerline. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured and were able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the physical conditions of the runway. The assessment focused on the impact of the aircraft's weight, the runway topography, and the pilot's inability to perform a missed approach.