Accident Overview
On 30 July 2020, at 19:07 local time, a Robin DR 400/160 aircraft, registration HB-KLT, operated by the Air-Club d'Yverdon-les-Bains, was landing on runway 18 at Lausanne-La Blécherette aerodrome (LSGL) when it experienced hard touchdowns and bounces. During the third touchdown, the nose landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to come to rest on its nose. The pilot and two passengers exited the aircraft unharmed. The aircraft was seriously damaged.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a single-engine, four-seat Robin DR 400/160 with a fixed tricycle landing gear. At the time of the accident, it had accumulated 1,380 flight hours and 3,509 landings. It was equipped with a PowerFlarm collision avoidance device that recorded flight parameters.
The pilot, a Swiss citizen born in 1986, held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation. The pilot had accumulated 100:57 total flight hours, with 6:37 hours in the last 90 days. On the accident aircraft type, the pilot had 3:59 hours total and 2:51 hours in the last 90 days.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of landing, the weather station at Lausanne-La Blécherette reported a QNH of 1018 hPa, wind from 220° at 4 knots, and runway 18 was in use.
Sequence of Events
The pilot and two passengers had flown from Yverdon-les-Bains to Annecy Meythet (LFLP), France, and were returning. Because customs services at Yverdon were unavailable after 18:30, the pilot decided to land at Lausanne-La Blécherette for customs clearance. During landing on runway 18, the aircraft bounced twice before contacting the runway a third time. On the third touchdown, the nose landing gear broke. The aircraft stopped on its nose midway down the runway.
Data from the PowerFlarm device indicated that at 19:07:09, with a ground speed of 159 km/h, the aircraft was on short final. The first and second touchdowns occurred at 19:07:18 with a ground speed of 140 km/h. The third touchdown at 19:07:21 recorded a ground speed of 129 km/h. The aircraft's flight manual specifies approach speeds of 120 km/h on final and 115 km/h at landing.
Runway 18 has a 2.50% downward slope on the first 414 meters, as noted in the aerodrome information.
Technical Examination
A technical examination of the nose landing gear leg revealed no pre-existing cracks. The report concluded that the leg ruptured due to a violent impact.
Analysis and Conclusions
The unstabilized and excessively fast approach resulted in bounces that heavily stressed the nose landing gear, leading to its complete rupture. The landing on runway 18, with its 2.50% slope on the first half, may have surprised the pilot during the flare. The pilot did not initiate a go-around. Time pressure to complete customs at Lausanne and return to Yverdon may have been a factor. The metallurgical fracture of the nose gear was caused by repeated violent contacts during the landing.