What happened
On 9 October 2005, a Socata TB 20 Trinidad GT, registration N565G, was conducting a private flight from the Lleyn Peninsula to Caernarfon Airport in Wales. During the final approach to runway 20, the pilot was managing gusty wind conditions, flying approximately 10 knots above the standard approach speed of 80 knots to maintain control.
As the aircraft reached an altitude of roughly 10 feet above the ground, the nose suddenly pitched downward by 10 to 15 degrees. Simultaneously, the pilot noted a significant reduction in indicated airspeed. In an effort to stabilize the descent and correct the aircraft's attitude, the pilot applied a burst of power and pulled back on the control column. Despite these corrective actions, the aircraft bounced on its nose wheel before eventually settling on its main landing gear. While the pilot did not immediately suspect damage, a post-flight inspection revealed that 5 cm of each propeller tip had been bent after striking the runway surface.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's damage and the meteorological conditions at the time of the incident. An assessment by a repair agency determined that the propeller damage was beyond economical repair and that the engine required inspection for potential shock-loading.
Meteorological data indicated a fresh south-westerly flow over Wales, with surface winds expected to be around 25 to 27 knots, gusting to 35 knots. The investigation noted that the local topography near Caernarfon Airport, characterized by hills and valleys, likely caused the wind to funnel and vary in direction and speed. An eyewitness also observed other aircraft experiencing significant altitude drops on final approach, suggesting the presence of turbulence.
Findings
- The aircraft's nose dropped and the airspeed decreased due to low-level turbulence caused by wind interacting with the surrounding high ground.
- The pilot increased the approach speed by 10 knots to compensate for the gusty conditions.
- The propeller sustained damage because the aircraft struck the runway with its nose wheel during the landing sequence.