What happened
On February 10, 2006, a Cessna 150L, registration I-CENE, was conducting a flight training mission at Verona Boscomantico airport. The flight, operated by Aero Club Verona, was part of a student pilot's training program. During the session, the instructor decided to perform approaches and landings using runway 08 to demonstrate specific techniques for handling a light tailwind.
During one such approach, the student pilot configured the aircraft for a "no flap" landing. The instructor took control of the aircraft, maintaining a low, flat attitude during the descent. The aircraft touched down approximately halfway down the runway at an indicated airspeed of roughly 70-75 knots. As the pilot applied the brakes to decelerate, the aircraft failed to stop within the paved surface, continuing its rollout onto the grass area beyond the runway threshold. The resulting excursion caused the nose gear to collapse, leading to structural damage to the propeller, engine mount, nose gear, and lower engine cowling. The two occupants (an instructor and a student) were uninjured.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight parameters, the aircraft's configuration, and the environmental conditions. Investigators noted that the wind was from 330° at 5-10 knots, creating a tailwind component for runway 08. The investigation focused on the relationship between the landing speed, the aircraft configuration, and the required stopping distance.
Findings
- The aircraft touched down at a speed significantly higher than the type's recommended 62 knots.
- The use of a "no flap" configuration and a flat approach attitude minimized aerodynamic braking effects.
- The high touchdown speed, combined with the tailwind, resulted in an estimated 40% increase in the required stopping distance.
- The primary cause was an incorrect approach and landing maneuver under tailwind conditions, which led to the aircraft overrunning the runway and the subsequent failure of the nose gear.