What happened
On July 27, 2005, a Grob G 115B, registration HB-UGA, was conducting a VFR training flight at the Speck-Fehraltdorf airfield near Zurich. The flight, involving a student pilot and an instructor, was intended to practice various maneuvers, including go-around procedures following a recent break in training.
During the session, the crew performed several approaches at higher altitudes without issue. However, while attempting a low-altitude go-around maneuver, the student pilot flared the aircraft too aggressively at approximately one meter above the runway. This high angle of attack triggered the aircraft's stall warning. The student failed to respond immediately to the instructor's command to initiate a go-around, leading to a heavy impact with the runway. Although the instructor attempted to apply power, the engine did not respond instantly, causing a second hard impact. The force of the landing caused the nose gear to collapse, resulting in a bent propeller and damage to the engine cowling.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the final approach and the mechanical response of the aircraft. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the 50-hour inspection had been completed recently and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits. The investigation also looked into the engine's performance, specifically its tendency to hesitate during sudden power applications, a characteristic known to the instructor.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the excessive flare performed by the student pilot, which led to a hard impact with the runway.
- The instructor's intervention and command to execute the go-around occurred too late to prevent the initial impact.
- The engine's delayed power response contributed to a second heavy impact following the first.
- There were no evidence of mechanical defects or health issues affecting the crew.