What happened
On November 16, 2019, at 13:33 local time, a Cessna 172N, registration EC-HSM, was performing a solo instructional flight at Cuatro Vientos Airport in Madrid. The flight originated and was intended to terminate at the same aerodrome.
During the landing phase on runway 27, the aircraft experienced an abnormal contact with the runway surface. Witnesses observed the aircraft touching the pavement twice, bouncing into the air after the initial impacts. Upon the final touchdown, the nose gear struck the runway with significant force, causing the nose wheel to burst. The aircraft subsequently came to a stop approximately 500 meters from the runway threshold.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft, meteorological conditions, and witness accounts. The aircraft was found to have sustained damage to the nose wheel, the propeller blades, the nose gear strut, and the firewall. No mechanical deficiencies were found in the aircraft's controls or systems prior to the event.
Meteorological data indicated favorable conditions, with light winds of approximately 3 knots. The investigation also noted that the pilot's documentation and the aircraft's airworthiness certificate were both valid at the time of the incident. While the investigation sought additional information regarding the student's experience and the flight school's solo flight procedures, this information was not provided by the operator.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an incorrect landing maneuver characterized by excessive speed.
- This excess speed led to a float during the flare, causing the aircraft to bounce and eventually resulting in an improper touchdown where the nose and main gear contacted the runway simultaneously.
- The high-impact force of the nose gear contact caused the tire to burst and resulted in propeller damage due to contact with the pavement.