Accident to the Czech Sport PS28 registered F-HSAA on 24/07/2022 at Aix-les-Milles

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in November 2022. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference (December 2022).

Note: the following information is principally based on statements made by the pilot. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1. History of the flight

The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, was on a flight from Nîmes-Courbessac to Aix-Les Milles. On landing on runway 14, the aeroplane regained height during the flare. The pilot reacted with a nose-down input on the stick. The aeroplane bounced several times. On the third bounce, the nose gear collapsed. The aeroplane came to rest at the edge of the runway after a run of about 60 m. Both propeller blades and the lower part of the engine cowling were damaged.

Figure 1: rubbing marks on the runway and aeroplane stopped on the edge of the runway

(Source: BEA)

2. Additional information

The aeroplane, which was equipped with an airframe parachute located in the upper part of the engine cowling, was immobilized on the runway pending the intervention of the bomb squad. The runway was closed. After safetying the rocket ignition system of the airframe parachute, the aeroplane was evacuated and the runway reopened.

The pilot indicated that the outside air temperature was around 30°C and that this may have contributed to the aeroplane gaining height during the flare.