What happened
On April 30, 2012, an I.C.P. MXP 740 Savannah (identified as 73-PL) was performing solo circuit training at the Belley Peyrie and aerodrome. The student pilot was conducting a series of three circuits as part of a solo flight training progression. During the first approach, the pilot initiated a go-around because the approach was judged to be too high and too fast. The second approach resulted in a successful landing.
During the third approach, the instructor monitoring the flight via radio noted that the aircraft's speed was slightly high. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced. In response to the bounce, the student pilot applied a nose-down input. This maneuver caused the aircraft to land on its nose gear, leading to the structural failure of the gear and causing the propeller to strike the ground. The ULM sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the landing phase and the communication between the student and the instructor. The instructor, who was following the flight via radio, had advised the student to apply power during the bounce. However, the student reported that they did not perceive the radio message at that critical moment.
Records showed the student pilot had 15 hours of flight time in airplanes and 16 hours in this specific type of ultralight, with 10 of those hours completed in the three months prior to the accident. The instructor was experienced, with 2,170 total flight hours, including 105 hours of instruction.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inappropriate control input by the student pilot during the landing bounce.
- The student's concentration was likely compromised, as they failed to hear the instructor's radio instruction to add power.
- The requirement to complete three consecutive circuits for a first solo flight may have caused cognitive saturation, contributing to the error.