What happened
On March 30, 2017, a Cessna 152, registration OK-HFA, was performing a navigation flight that included several airfields. The pilot, a student with approximately 34 total flight hours, had originally planned a route involving several other locations but decided to divert to Raná Aerodrome (LKRA) to address physiological needs.
During the approach to runway 29, the pilot utilized full flaps and a headwind component. As the aircraft touched down, it encountered several bumps on the runway surface, which triggered multiple bounces. The pilot was unable to correct these oscillations. During the final bounce, the aircraft impacted the ground on its nose gear, causing the gear to collapse and the nose wheel to be driven into the fuselage. The impact resulted in the forced stoppage of the engine and damage to the propeller blades and engine cowling.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the aircraft was airworthy and maintained a valid certificate of airworthiness at the time of the accident. The pilot was found to be medically fit and held a valid license. Meteorological conditions at the time of the landing were within safe limits, with visibility exceeding 10 km and light winds. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's damage was solely the result of the non-standard contact with the ground during the landing sequence. A breathalyzer test performed by the police confirmed the pilot was not under the influence of alcohol.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to manage the aircraft's technique during multiple bounces on the runway.
- The pilot's limited flight experience contributed to the inability to stabilize the aircraft following the initial bounces caused by runway irregularities.
- The structural failure of the nose gear and subsequent damage to the Cessna 152 were directly caused by the impact of the final bounce.