What happened
On September 16, 2012, a Cessna C152, registration OK-AVI, was performing a standard PPL training flight at Roudnice Airport (LKRO) when an accident occurred during the landing phase. The flight, conducted by a student pilot and an instructor, was part of a training syllabus involving takeoff, climbs, and circuit patterns.
During the tenth circuit, the aircraft experienced a bounce upon touchdown on the grass runway. In an attempt to correct the situation, the student pilot applied a heavy, improper control input, pushing the controls forward. The instructor was unable to intervene in time to prevent the consequences of this maneuver. This action caused the nose gear to strike the ground with enough force to break its attachment, leading to a nose-down pitch and the aircraft subsequently flipping over the propeller onto its back. The engine stopped only after the propeller made contact with the ground. Both occupants escaped the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the crew's qualifications, and the meteorological environment. Investigators analyzed the wreckage, noting extensive damage to the fuselage, engine cowling, and wings, as well as the broken nose gear and bent propeller blades. The investigation also reviewed the flight logs of both the student pilot and the instructor, as well as the maintenance history of the Cessna C152.
Findings
- The student pilot was properly rated and medically certified for VFR flight but failed to manage the bounce correctly and applied an inappropriate control input.
- The instructor was highly experienced and fully qualified but could not react quickly enough to the student's sudden movement.
- The aircraft was in a fully airworthy condition with no mechanical failures contributing to the event.
- Meteorological conditions were excellent, with high visibility and light winds.
- The primary cause of the accident was improper piloting during the landing phase.