Factual Information
On 12 August 2010, a Russian crew conducted a competition navigation flight in a borrowed Cessna 172S, registration OM-AKT, as part of the 17th FAI World Air Navigation Rally. The flight departed from and returned to Dubnica nad Váhom airfield (LZDB) with a touch-and-go landing at Martin-Tomčany airfield (LZMA). During the final approach to LZMA, the aircraft was at a very low speed with a high nose-up attitude. After the pilot reduced the throttle to idle, a severe flare occurred, causing the aircraft to stall and drop from an estimated height of 2–3 m onto the right main landing gear, followed by the left main gear and nose gear. The crew continued the flight to LZDB after a brief landing and were not aware of damage. They were later informed of possible landing gear damage and proceeded outside the competition. At LZDB, the organizer declared an alert. The aircraft landed without further damage. The crew was uninjured. The accident occurred during daylight hours and was reported to the investigation authority by the competition organizer.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained minor damage, including: wrinkled skin between the right pilot door frame and the right main landing gear attachment; bent right landing gear tube and deformed fairing in the step area; broken plastic rudder fairing; bent tip (approx. 2 cm) of the right elevator; dented fuselage skin; and broken brace on the right elevator.
Personnel: The pilot-in-command was a 49-year-old Russian citizen holding a PPL(A) with SEP(L) rating valid until 28 October 2011. He had 421 hours 9 minutes total flight time. The navigator-pilot was a 55-year-old Russian citizen holding a CPL(A) valid until 28 October 2010, with 5856 hours 28 minutes total flight time. Both held valid medical certificates.
Aircraft: The Cessna 172S (serial 17258456, built 2000) had a Lycoming IO-360L2A engine and McCauley propeller. Its airworthiness certificate was valid until 23 September 2010. Weight at time of accident was within limits.
Airfield: LZMA is a public domestic airfield with a grass runway 18L/36R, suitable for the intended flight.
Analysis
During the touch-and-go landing, the pilot executed the final approach at very low speed with a high angle of attack. After reducing engine power to idle, a severe flare led to a wing-drop stall from 2–3 m, resulting in a hard touchdown on the right main gear. The crew was not under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. The crew held valid qualifications for the flight. No injuries occurred. The aircraft met airworthiness conditions before the flight.
Conclusions / Cause
The accident cause was determined to be: inability of the crew to master piloting technique, and a high flare with wing-drop stall leading to a hard landing.
Recommendations
The competition organizer implemented preventive measures: the crew was disqualified after the flight, and a post-flight analysis of the accident was conducted with competition pilots before further competition flights.