Incident
On 6 May 2008, at 16:50 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration CS-DIB, operated by OMNI – Aviation Training Center, was conducting a solo navigation training flight. The pilot, a female student, had departed from Cascais Municipal Aerodrome (LPCS) and was landing at Sta Cruz Aerodrome (LPSC) in Torres Vedras. During the roundout on runway 35, with wind from 330° at approximately 10 knots, the pilot's seat slid rearward, causing the aircraft to pitch nose-down. The main landing gear contacted the runway, and the aircraft bounced. The pilot had difficulty recovering, and the nose wheel struck the runway hard, causing a second bounce. On the third touchdown, the aircraft was out of control, exited the right side of the runway, and came to rest on the grass. The pilot shut down the engine and fuel, and exited the aircraft unaided without injury. The aircraft sustained light damage to the nose landing gear.
Aircraft and Pilot
The Cessna 152 (serial number 152-82845) was a single-engine, high-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. It had a maximum takeoff mass of 757 kg. All documentation was valid, and maintenance programs had been complied with. The 25-year-old Portuguese pilot held a valid student pilot authorization and had passed aeronautical medical exams without restrictions. She had 59 total flight hours, with 20 hours in the previous three months after a period without flying.
Analysis
The investigation noted that weather conditions were favorable, the runway was unobstructed, and the landing distance available was adequate for the aircraft. No anomalies were found with the aircraft or its systems. The pilot's seat had not been properly locked, constituting a failure to execute the Before Landing checklist. The pilot did not attempt a go-around or any correction after the first bounce. The roundout was performed high, indicating an unstabilized approach. The pilot was accustomed to operating at Cascais, and the different runway characteristics at Sta Cruz—shorter length, a -1.5% slope, and rising terrain in the approach—likely affected her perception of the glidepath. She did not use engine power to correct the trajectory or execute a missed approach.
Probable Cause
The incident was a consequence of a poorly stabilized approach and the pilot's omission in complying with the execution of the 'Before Landing' checklist, not having ensured the safety and locking of the seat. After the first touchdown and having bounced, the pilot was unable to correct the trajectory and recover control of the aircraft.