Cessna 172 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence while on short final from a heavy aircraft on a parallel approach and performed a go-around after bouncing on the runway. Upon touchdown; the nose and left main tire burst and the aircraft came to a stop on the runway. There were no injuries.
Synopsis
Cessna 172 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence while on short final from a heavy aircraft on a parallel approach and performed a go-around after bouncing on the runway. Upon touchdown; the nose and left main tire burst and the aircraft came to a stop on the runway. There were no injuries.
Narrative
During a time-building flight; another pilot and I had taken a plane out around the island. During this time we decided to stay proficient in our landings and headed towards JRF for some landings. At JRF there were multiple C-130s and KC-135s performing landings on 4R. The winds were at 110 degrees 11 gusting 17 kt. After 2 successful touch-and-go's; it was decided to practice power-off 180s. On about a 0.3-mile final from 4L; our airspeed was around 60 kt. The other pilot decided to lower the nose of the aircraft to gain some airspeed and enter ground effect. About 1 second after pushing the nose over; our plane experienced an unusual rate of descent caused by the wake turbulence blown over from the much heavier plane on the right of us. At the last second; I pulled back on the controls in an attempt to flare the aircraft. The aircraft then hit the ground; bounced and we initiated a go-around. In the air; we inspected our landing gear from the firm landing and it visually looked like there were no issues. We decided that we were going to do another touch-and-go to make sure the landing gear was okay. Upon landing; the front nose and left main tire burst and we came to a complete stop on the runway. No one was injured during this landing. I immediately cut the plane's electrical and fuel and notified ATC. To prevent a recurrence; pilots should make sound judgments and initiate a go-around; or wait for wake turbulence to subside when much larger aircraft are operating at a parallel runway and the winds are blowing the wake into the runway. Attaining a stabilized approach would also prevent this from happening in the future.
Second reporter narrative
A pilot friend and I took a time-building flight around the island of Oahu. We are both certified flight instructors and we decided to fly and practice our skills. We first flew around the island and then decided to go to JRF for pattern work. When we were entering the pattern; we were assigned 4L. The winds were at 110 and there was a heavy military aircraft; a KC-130 also doing work in the pattern on 4R. After a couple normal; successful touch-n-go's; we decided to practice power-off 180s next. I was at the controls for the first power-off 180. We were cleared for 4L. As I was on final; I decided that we were slow; so I lowered the nose; planning to build airspeed; enter ground effect; and touch down. As I lowered the nose; the plane felt as if it was plummeting to the ground in a very rapid sink due to the wake turbulence from the heavy aircraft on 4R. My friend came on the controls and pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to save the aircraft and go around; but the plane had already touched down hard. On the go-around; we inspected the left and right main gear from our seat and it seemed to be fine. We planned to touch down and make sure the aircraft was alright on our next pattern. When we touched down; the left main and the nose wheel tires popped; and the aircraft slid to the left side of the runway. We immediately shut down the aircraft and advised Tower that our Maintenance would be on the way.To prevent a recurrence; pilots should be well educated on the effects of wake turbulence and crosswinds; and both combined. We should be able to assess when and how to initiate go-arounds; and know that wake turbulence can be avoided all around by waiting.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.