What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-07-01 involved a Cessna T 182 T, registration OK-ITC, at LKLT, CZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to properly manage the aircraft's pitch and load during a high-speed landing on an uneven runway, driven by the pressure to vacate the runway quickly for following traffic.

Nose gear collapse during landing at Letňany Airport

A Cessna T182T experienced a nose gear failure on runway 05R at Letňany Airport, resulting in significant aircraft damage but no injuries.

What happened

On July 1, 2018, a Cessna T182T, registration OK–ITC, was performing a sightseeing flight with passengers at Letňany Airport. During the second landing of the day on runway 05R, the aircraft experienced a nose gear collapse. The pilot, attempting to vacate the runway quickly to accommodate following traffic, landed at a higher speed than usual. After touchdown, the aircraft encountered bumps on the uneven runway surface, leading to several bounces. During one of these bounces, the nose of the aircraft dipped, and the pilot failed to sufficiently pull back on the control column to relieve the load on the nose gear. As the pilot applied brakes, the combination of the impact and the rotational force caused the nose gear to break. The aircraft slid approximately 15 meters before coming to a stop on its nose. The pilot successfully evacuated all three passengers, and no injuries were reported.

The investigation

An investigation by the ÚZPLN examined the aircraft's structural integrity, the pilot's actions, and the runway conditions. Investigators analyzed the wreckage of the nose gear, finding that the fork had been torn apart by radial forces. No evidence of corrosion or fatigue cracks was found on the fracture surfaces. The investigation also reviewed airport camera footage and radio communications between the pilot and the AFIS controller. The inspection confirmed that the pilot had been motivated to clear the runway quickly due to a request from a following Cirrus SR22. The investigation also reviewed the Cessna T182T flight manual, which emphasizes the importance of gently lowering the nose wheel after speed has diminished to avoid unnecessary loads, especially on uneven surfaces.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was inadequate piloting following a bounce on the uneven runway, specifically the failure to sufficiently pull back on the control column while landing at a higher speed and applying brakes.
The pilot's desire to vacate the runway quickly for following traffic contributed to the higher approach speed.
The uneven surface of runway 05R contributed to the aircraft bouncing and the subsequent nose-down impact.
The aircraft sustained extensive damage, with repair costs exceeding the pre-accident value of the aircraft.