Flight Sequence
The instructional flight, conducted under visual flight rules, originated from Payerne military aerodrome. After departure at 14:25, the crew flew toward Lausanne but later turned back toward Neuchâtel due to weather. During approach, the instructor noted turbulence and a northwesterly wind with gusts. The student flew the initial approach, but the instructor took control on final. He increased the approach speed to 80 MPH and threshold speed to 75 MPH with full flaps (41°). On final, a temporary power increase was needed to clear a tree line. During the roundout, the aircraft touched down, bounced, and then settled again. On the second touchdown, the aircraft was aligned with the runway but yawed to the right. The left main landing gear collapsed, causing the left wing tip to strike the ground. The aircraft veered left, exited the paved runway, and performed a half-turn on the grass before coming to rest at 15:05. Both occupants, the instructor and the student, were uninjured and exited without assistance.
Weather Conditions
A cold downslope wind known as the Joran had developed, with wind from 320° at 16 knots, gusting to 30 knots. Turbulence was reported. The sky was partly cloudy with a base around 3800 feet above aerodrome elevation, visibility 10 km or more, temperature 13 °C, dew point 7 °C, QNH 1013 hPa. The Joran is created by cold air flowing from the Franche-Comté region onto the Swiss plateau, with gap-wind effects from the Val de Travers contributing to gusts near the aerodrome.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an FFA AS202/15-1/16M "Bravo", registration HB-HFH, a three-seat, low-wing, fixed tricycle-gear monoplane built in 1977. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-D2A engine producing 118 kW (160 hp) driving a fixed-pitch metal propeller. The operator and owner was Air-Espace Sàrl.
Personnel
The instructor, born 1964, held a commercial pilot license (CPL(A)) with 1583:43 total flight hours, including 157:05 on type. The student, born 1995, had 8:56 total flight hours, all on the accident aircraft type.
Damage
The left main landing gear and left wing were heavily damaged. Ground traces were left on the runway and grass.
Investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) conducted the investigation. The report describes the sequence of events but does not state a probable cause.