What happened
On 28 July 2009, a Cirrus SR22, registration N192SR, was returning to Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex following a local flight near the Isle of Wight. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by clear visibility, calm winds, and an outside air temperature of 18°C.
During the landing on the grass runway, the pilot established the aircraft on final approach using landing flaps at an airspeed of 80 kt IAS. The touchdown was initially smooth, with the throttle closed. However, following the touchdown, the pilot applied a forward input to the side stick controller. This action caused the aircraft to adopt an unusually low nose-down attitude. After taxiing to the parking area and shutting down the engine, the pilot discovered damage to the propeller blade tips and the nose landing gear oleo.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's recent flying history and the mechanical operation of the aircraft's controls. It was noted that the pilot's previous four flights had been conducted in a Piper Aztec, rather than the Cirrus. The investigation focused on the pilot's use of the side stick controller, which operates the elevator and ailerons, in contrast to a conventional control column.
Findings
- The pilot applied a forward side stick input during the landing phase that was inconsistent with the specific handling requirements of the Cirrus SR22.
- The pilot's landing technique was based on experience from a different aircraft type, specifically a Piper Aztec.
- The nose-down attitude caused by the excessive forward control input led to the propeller tips striking the ground and damaged the nose landing gear.