Occurrence
On 10 June 2017 at 11:53 local time, a private flight under visual flight rules was conducted with an Aero AT3 light aircraft, registration HB-SRA, at Bern Belp Airport (LSZB). The pilot and one passenger were returning from a local round trip. During the landing, the aircraft dropped from a height of approximately 1.5 meters and then rebounded. The pilot attempted to regain control by moving the control stick, which caused the aircraft to bounce two to three times. On the final contact with the runway, the nose wheel struck first, causing it to break off. The propeller blades subsequently contacted the runway surface. The aircraft slid to a stop on its main landing gear and the nose strut.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was owned by Alp-Aircraft GmbH and operated by Alp-Air Bern AG. The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1983, held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) through the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL). The pilot had accumulated a total flying time of 193 hours and 9 minutes, of which 26 hours and 24 minutes were on the accident type. In the 90 days preceding the accident, the pilot logged 4 hours and 29 minutes.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained heavy damage. There were no injuries to the pilot, passenger, or any third parties. No damage to third-party property occurred.
Investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) conducted a summary investigation in accordance with Article 46 of the Ordinance on the Safety Investigation of Transport Incidents (VSZV). The report was prepared with the aim of learning from the incident.