What happened
On 28 December 1998, a Reims Cessna F172P, registration G-BLHJ, was conducting a private flight when it experienced a landing incident at Edinburgh Airport. The approach to Runway 26 was initially uneventful, conducted under south-westerly surface winds of approximately 10 knots.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft made contact with the main wheels, and the pilot maintained a nose-high attitude as the aircraft decelerated. Following a brief ground roll, the aircraft became airborne once more, reaching an altitude of roughly six feet. As the airspeed decreased, the pilot lowered the nose, leading to a second contact with the runway on the main wheels. This second impact caused the aircraft to bounce, resulting in a third contact where all three wheels struck the runway before the aircraft came to a halt.
Following the sequence, the pilot performed necessary brake and steering checks before taxiing to the parking area. An inspection revealed substantial damage to the propeller, the engine mount, and the associated airframe structure.
The investigation
The investigation, based on the accident report submitted by the pilot, focused on the flight dynamics during the landing phase. The examination established that there were no injuries to the two occupants on board.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was identified as the pilot maintaining an excessive airspeed during the flare.
- The pilot's decision to hold the nose of the aircraft too high during the initial ground roll contributed to the subsequent loss of control and the resulting bounces.