Cat. 3 investigation report: report concerning an occurrence with limited consequences, based on one or more statements not independently validated by the BEA.

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in October 2020. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.

Note: the following information is principally based on the pilot’s statement. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1 - History of the flight

On returning from a cross-country flight to Melun, the pilot contacted the Lognes aerodrome controller who cleared him in second position to join the downwind leg for runway 08. The pilot indicated that on final his airspeed was 65 kt in landing configuration and that the wind was stable. Then in short final, the pilot felt gusts of wind which caused the plane to move from left to right. Afraid of stalling at low height, he decided to continue and not to go-around. During the flare, he felt the plane sinking. The left main landing gear hit the ground hard, the plane bounced and came to a stop on the runway.

2 - Additional information

2.1 Pilot information

The Lognes-based pilot, who held a private pilot license issued in August 2015, had logged 199 flight hours, including 20 hours on the CESSNA 172 in the last 90 days. His last flight before the event was on 4 January 2020.

2.2 Meteorological information

The Lognes weather station measured an average wind from 360° of 8 kt between 11:00 and 12:00. During the same period, the maximum wind recorded was 15 kt.