What happened
On August 20, 2020, a Cessna 210B, registration D-EDRR, was performing a landing at Letňany Airport (LKLT) after a flight originating from Werneuchen, Germany. The aircraft approached the runway at a high speed and a shallow angle.
Upon initial contact with runway 23L, the aircraft underwent a series of three bounces. These bounces were characterized by decreasing ground distance and increasing amplitude. During the fourth impact, the nose gear struck the runway, causing the gear leg to collapse backward and intrude into the lower forward fuselage. The propeller blades were bent, and the engine was forcibly stopped. The aircraft continued to slide along the runway on its main gear and the damaged lower fuselage for approximately 120 meters before coming to a complete stop. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers on board.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation utilized the pilot's statement, tower camera footage from Letňany, and radio logs from Letňany RADIO. The investigation examined the pilot's flight parameters, the technical condition of the aircraft, and the prevailing meteorological conditions. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the weather conditions, which were CAVOK at the time, did not contribute to the accident.
Findings
- The pilot conducted the approach at an excessive speed and a shallow angle.
- The pilot failed to properly correct the flight path during the sequence of bounces.
- The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect approach profile and the pilot's improper recovery technique following repeated bounces.
- The nose gear failure was a direct result of the fourth impact on the runway.