What happened
On June 16, 2012, a Piper PA28 Archer, registered D-EPAZ, departed from Issoire for a flight to Annemasse. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a fly-by of the airfield and estimated the wind at 10 knots. The pilot joined the traffic pattern for the paved runway 30, initially flying into a tailwind component.
During the landing flare, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to lift momentarily. This initiated a series of three bounces on the runway. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft during the third bounce, the pilot increased engine power. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft striking the runway on its nose gear, causing the gear to collapse and resulting in heavy damage to the aircraft.
Prior to the final approach, the pilot had flown in a full-flaps configuration, maintaining a speed 5 knots above standard due to a crosswind component. The pilot also noted an imbalance in fuel levels, with one tank full and the other nearly empty.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting 300 total flight hours, with 10 hours on this specific type. The pilot had completed 30 flight hours in the preceding three months.
Meteorological data from the Geneva ATIS, which the pilot had consulted prior to joining the circuit, indicated winds from 230° at 16 knots, visibility greater than 10 km, and a temperature of 29 °C. The investigation also examined the aircraft's weight and balance, specifically the fuel asymmetry noted by the pilot during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was insufficient pilot technique during the flare phase.
- An imbalance in wing mass, caused by the asymmetric fuel levels, contributed to the instability of the aircraft.
- A crosswind component further complicated the aircraft's stability during the landing sequence.