Incident Overview
On December 14, 2001, at approximately 15:53 UTC (16:53 local time), a Cessna 152 with registration I-AMCH experienced a runway excursion during landing at Cagliari Elmas Airport (LIEE). The aircraft was operated by Aero Club Cagliari and was conducting a scheduled training flight for a private pilot license. One person was on board, the student pilot, who remained uninjured in the event.
Aircraft and Operational Details
The Cessna 152, manufactured in 1984, had accumulated 4,972 airframe hours at the time of the incident. It was powered by a Lycoming O-235-N2C piston engine with 2,920 operating hours. The pilot was a 28-year-old male holding a valid solo student pilot certificate and a current second-class medical certificate. His total flight experience was 34 hours and 4 minutes, including 11 hours and 35 minutes as sole pilot.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed Cagliari Elmas at 14:12 for a closed-circuit navigation mission. During the final approach to runway 32, the aircraft touched down approximately 250 meters before the optimal landing point. A light crosswind from 200 degrees was present. Shortly after ground contact, the right wing lowered and struck the pavement. The aircraft then yawed sharply to the left by more than 45 degrees while the nose dropped, causing the propeller blades to strike the ground. The Cessna continued rolling off the runway and came to rest on the grassy terrain about 40 meters from the left edge of the runway.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined that the pilot likely drifted too far to the right relative to the runway centerline due to the crosswind. Upon touchdown, an attempt to align the aircraft using rudder inputs induced a coupled roll and yaw motion, resulting in the right wingtip impact. Subsequent brake application likely caused the nose to pitch down, leading to propeller damage. No technical defects were found that would have contributed to the accident.