What happened
On May 22, 2020, a pilot operating a Cessna 172S, registration HB-TLZ, was performing a private VFR flight from Bressaucourt to Lausanne-La Blécherette. During the approach to runway 18, the aircraft experienced a series of heavy impacts. The initial touchdown resulted in a bounce, followed by a nosewheel strike that caused a second bounce. A third bounce occurred, again involving the nosewheel.
Following these impacts, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the climb, the pilot noted a sensation of friction when manipulating the elevator controls. After completing a circuit, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft and taxied to the parking area. Following the landing, the pilot performed only a visual inspection, which showed no obvious external damage, and subsequently proceeded with a return flight to Bressamente.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and discovered that the airframe and firewall had sustained significant deformation. The investigation established that the pilot had not landed at Lausanne-La Blécherette for over a year and was likely caught off guard by the 2.50% downward slope at the beginning of runway 18.
While the decision to perform a go-around was deemed appropriate, the investigation found it was initiated too late; the pilot should have aborted the landing after the first bounce. Furthermore, the pilot failed to record the hard landing in the aircraft logbook and did not seek a professional mechanical inspection, despite the physical sensation of friction in the flight controls.
Findings
- The primary cause of the structural damage was inadequate flare technique, which led to multiple bounces and excessive loading on the nosewheel.
- The pilot's failure to document the event or request a mechanical inspection allowed the aircraft to continue flying with hidden structural damage.
- The structural deformation, specifically in the firewall area, was the source of the friction felt in the elevator controls during the go-around.