What happened
On September 20, 2012, a Cessna 172, registration F-HJYO, was conducting a solo navigation training flight from Béziers to Alès Cévennes. Upon arrival at Alès Cévennes, the pilot performed a traffic pattern and prepared for landing on runway 01. The approach was conducted in full flaps configuration at approximately 70 knots.
During the landing roll, a wind gust pushed the aircraft toward the ground roughly 300 meters after the displaced threshold, causing the aircraft to bounce twice. During the first bounce, the pilot maintained level wings and applied slight nose-down elevator input. The second bounce was significantly harder, leaving insufficient runway remaining to complete the landing. With approximately 500 meters of runway left, the pilot attempted a go-around. However, the engine failed to deliver sufficient power, forcing the pilot to land in a nearby field, where the aircraft eventually came to rest in a ditch.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Examination of the Cessuna 172 revealed that the propeller blades had struck the runway during one of the bounces. This impact caused damage to the propeller, which directly resulted in the loss of engine power during the attempted go-around.
Meteorological data from the airfield's automatic station indicated a mean wind of 8 knots from 210°. In the 20 minutes prior to the accident, winds varied between 170° and 260° with speeds between 5 and 15 knots. Notably, the aerodrome's wind shear and turbulence advisory (VAC) indicated potential risks of wind shear exceeding 15 knots at the threshold of runway 01.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inappropriate control inputs during the first landing bounce.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with this specific aircraft type contributed to the difficulty in managing the bounces.
- The approach speed was slightly excessive for the landing conditions.
- An error in wind assessment led the pilot to land with a tailwind component.
- The loss of engine power during the go-around was caused by the propeller blades striking the runway during the bouncing sequence.