Incident Overview
On 19 July 2000, a Gulfstream AA-5A (registration G-BXCZ) was involved in a heavy landing during a training flight at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire. The aircraft, powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2G piston engine, was being flown by a 56-year-old student pilot with 26 hours of total flying experience, all on type. The student had successfully completed his first solo flight three days prior.
Flight Details
The flight was a consolidation training session with an instructor. After completing five satisfactory circuits and landings, the instructor exited the aircraft to allow the student to continue solo for an additional five circuits and landings. The student successfully completed the first three solo landings.
Approach and Landing
During the fourth approach, the pilot requested landing clearance from Air Traffic Control. The controller cleared the pilot only to 'continue' because an aircraft ahead was still on the runway performing a 'touch and go'. The pilot maintained a correct approach angle and airspeed and received a late landing clearance. In his report, the pilot did not consider the late clearance to have contributed to the incident.
As the pilot rounded out and flared, the aircraft ballooned to approximately 10 to 15 feet, possibly due to a gust of wind. The pilot continued to apply back pressure on the control column but could not prevent the aircraft from sinking rapidly. The aircraft struck the ground hard, initially with the right main landing gear, followed by the nose landing gear, and then the left main landing gear.
Aftermath
The pilot, realizing the landing was heavy, was not initially aware of any damage. After taxiing in and shutting down, it became apparent that the propeller had been damaged. The nose landing gear was also damaged, and the engine was removed for a shock load inspection. The student pilot was uninjured.
The instructor, who observed the circuits from the control tower, confirmed that the approach had been normal and the student was accustomed to late clearances. The instructor noted that when the aircraft was high in the round out with little energy, only application of power could have prevented the heavy landing.