What happened
During a flight originating from Leipzig, the crew initiated a descent toward runway 27R at Paris-Roissy-CDG Airport. While the aircraft was at an altitude of 400 feet during the approach, the autopilot functionality was disengaged. As the flight reached the decision height of 200 feet, the crew elected to proceed with the landing because the runway was visible and the aircraft remained stable.
At a height of 50 feet, the crew reduced the power levers to flight idle. This action caused the aircraft to enter a nose-up attitude, reaching a maximum pitch of 11 degrees. The main landing gear made contact with the runway at a speed of 120 knots, but the aircraft subsequently bounced two times. Following these bounces, the aircraft transitioned into a nose-down attitude, leading to the nose gear striking the ground first during the third touchdown.
Upon the third impact, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for several dozen yards along the runway before coming to a complete stop. There were no fatalities among the 19 occupants, all of whom were evacuated from the aircraft without injury. The aircraft was subsequently declared a total loss.
Findings
- The reduction of power levers to flight idle at 50 feet contributed to a change in pitch.
- Repeated bounces during the landing sequence led to the nose gear making primary contact with the runway.