General Information
The accident involved a Cessna 172R, registration HB-CQR, operated by Air Fribourg Services SA. The aircraft, built in 1998, had accumulated 3887 flight hours. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-N2A engine derated to 118 kW (160 hp). The last 50-hour inspection was performed on 4 June 2008 at 3854 hours. At the time of the accident, the center of gravity was within limits and fuel quantity was sufficient for the intended flight.
Flight History
The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1982, obtained a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) on 23 January 2008. He had 73:47 total flight hours, with 06:43 hours on the Cessna 172. The instructor, born in 1953, held an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL(A)) and a Flight Instructor (FI(A)) qualification. He had 4894 total flight hours, including 1383 hours on the Cessna 172.
The pilot completed his basic training on a DV 20 Katana at Ecuvillens. After licensing, he began familiarization on the Cessna 172 with the same instructor. The familiarization started on 7 February 2008. The last dual-instruction flight before the first solo consisted of five circuits and a go-around on runway 28 on 1 July 2008. The instructor stated that during familiarization, he did not address reactions to landing bounces.
Accident Sequence
On 1 July 2008 at 10:43 LT, the pilot performed his first solo flight. The approach and landing were on runway 28. The pilot deliberately crossed the threshold higher than usual, at an estimated height of 5 meters and a speed of about 65 knots. He reduced power later than during previous flights. The roundout began late, and the aircraft contacted the ground simultaneously with all three wheels. It then bounced. Subsequent contacts involved the nosewheel followed by the main gear. A series of five pitch oscillations occurred, with the first two being more violent. The pilot did not hear the stall warning during the first two bounces and could not recall his control inputs. The instructor intervened by radio during the later bounces, but neither remembered the content. The pilot did not consider a go-around. After the oscillations ceased, he taxied off the runway via the last taxiway at the end of runway 28.
Damage
Post-flight inspection revealed significant structural deformations, including damage near the nosewheel attachment fittings, lower engine mount attachments, battery support, left door frame, and cabin floor near the rudder pedals, partially obstructing elevator control. These deformations were consistent with violent nosewheel impacts during the bounces.
Meteorological Conditions
The pilot and instructor reported good visibility, the sun behind the aircraft, light wind aligned with runway 28, and calm air during the accident flight.
Operational Aspects
The pilot initiated procedural changes on his own, believing they would increase safety for his first solo. These changes—a higher approach and later power reduction—were not requested by the instructor. The Cessna 172's behavior during a three-point or nosewheel-first landing is known, and the instructor acknowledged not covering bounce recovery techniques during familiarization.