Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Cirrus SR-20, registration OE-DDD, serial number 1506, manufactured in 2005. It was owned and operated by Steirische Motorflug - Union of Graz, Austria. The single-engine aircraft was powered by a Continental IO-360 engine and fitted with a Hartzell propeller.
On August 17, 2012, the aircraft departed from Dubrovnik Airport at 10:56 UTC en route to Split Airport, operating under visual flight rules (VFR). On board were the pilot and two passengers. The pilot held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) issued on May 25, 2009, and valid until May 25, 2014.
Incident Sequence
Around 14:00 local time, the pilot attempted a landing on Runway 23 at Split Airport. During the touchdown, the rear wheels contacted the runway roughly, causing the aircraft to bounce. It then struck the runway with the nose wheel, bounced again, and veered slightly to the left. The pilot elected to perform a go-around by applying full engine power. The aircraft flew low over the apron, where other aircraft were parked, before climbing to a safe altitude. The pilot then executed a second approach to Runway 23 and landed without further incident.
After taxiing to the general aviation apron and parking, the pilot exited the aircraft and discovered damage to the propeller blades, engine, and nose wheel. The pilot subsequently reported the occurrence.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller blades, engine, and nose wheel as a result of the ground contact. No other damage was reported. The pilot and passengers sustained no injuries.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of landing, the wind was from 240 degrees at 11 knots, providing a headwind during the approach. Visibility exceeded 10 kilometers, with a broken cloud ceiling at 6,000 meters. The temperature was 33°C, and the QNH was 1015 hPa.
Investigation and Cause
An investigation was conducted by the Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accident Investigation Agency of the Republic of Croatia. The investigation included a technical analysis of the aircraft and an assessment of human factors. It was noted that the pilot had performed the landing approach with correct speed and angle, but did not detect a change in wind intensity and direction during the final approach. The investigation determined that the direct cause of the serious incident was the pilot's uncoordinated control of the aircraft at landing.