What happened
On June 7, 2015, a Piper PA-18 (registration HB-OYB) was performing a VFR landing on the paved runway 05 at Yverdon-Les-Bains aerodrome. As the aircraft's three wheels were in contact with the ground, a light gust of wind from the left side destabilized the plane, causing it to tilt toward the right. In an attempt to regain control, the pilot applied power. However, the right wheel bounced several times on the runway surface, eventually causing the landing gear to collapse. This sequence led to the right wing tip and the propeller striking the ground. The aircraft came to a halt on the left edge of the runway, approximately 200 meters from the runway threshold. The single occupant of the aircraft remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing phase and the impact of environmental conditions on the aircraft's stability. Investigators examined the aircraft's movement following the wind gust and the subsequent mechanical failure of the landing gear. The assessment included the pilot's corrective actions and the resulting damage to the airframe, specifically the right wing and propeller.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a wind gust from the left that destabilized the aircraft while it was on the ground.
- The repeated bouncing of the right wheel during the pilot's attempt to recover control led to the failure of the right landing gear.
- The incident resulted in damage to the landing gear, the right wing, and the propeller.