AAIB investigation to Reims Cessna FR172K, Reims Hawk XP, G-YIPI
Hard landing, Perranporth Airfield, 18 May 2018.
Summary:
The pilot reported that he approached to land on Runway 05 at Perranporth Airfield at 70 kt with flaps FULL. The wind was from about 360° at 8 kt. After crossing the threshold, the pilot flared the aircraft, which landed heavily and bounced. After the subsequent landing the pilot was aware that the aircraft had been damaged so vacated the runway and shut down. There was severe damage to the front of the aircraft, including its propeller and nosewheel.
The pilot believed he may have flared the aircraft late. Given the level and nature of the damage it is also possible that the aircraft landed too fast, leading it to touchdown nosewheel first.
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Published 8 November 2018