Landing gear damage during student pilot approach at Lausanne-Blécherette

Casualties unknown • Lausanne "La Blécherette" Aéroport (LSGL), VD, CH

A Piper Cub experienced landing gear damage following a high approach and hard landing at Lausanne-Blécherette in May 1966.

What happened

On May 18, 1966, a Piper Cub, registration HB-OSK, was performing a landing approach at the Lausanne-Blécherette airfield. During the final stages of the approach, a student pilot flew too high over the runway area. The runway surface at this location is characterized by elevation differences of up to 10 meters. Due to the excessive height during the approach, the aircraft performed a heavy, uncontrolled landing, which resulted in damage to the landing gear.

The investigation

An investigation into the incident established the flight path of the aircraft and the physical conditions of the landing site. The inquiry focused on the approach profile used by the student pilot and the impact of the runway's uneven terrain on the landing execution.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the landing gear damage was a high approach by the student pilot, leading to a hard landing on a runway with significant elevation changes.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1966-05-18 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION J3C-65/L-4. accident near Lausanne "La Blécherette" Aéroport (LSGL), VD, CH?

A Piper Cub experienced landing gear damage following a high approach and hard landing at Lausanne-Blécherette in May 1966.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1966-05-18 involved a PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION J3C-65/L-4., registration HB-OSK, at Lausanne "La Blécherette" Aéroport (LSGL), VD, CH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the landing gear damage was a high approach by the student pilot, leading to a hard landing on a runway with significant elevation changes.

Investigation report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST). Original record: https://www.sust.admin.ch/inhalte/AV-berichte/325.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), Switzerland.

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