Accident to the Piper PA28 registered F-BVTK on 12/01/2023 at Rivesaltes

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation. 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

The pilot took off from runway 31 of Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport to carry out an aerodrome circuit. He indicated that after a stabilised approach for runway 33, he felt the aeroplane float near the ground  during the flare. He added that the aeroplane touched down on the runway before rising again. The aeroplane then bounced several times and the pilot described a movement which grew in amplitude. On the fifth bounce, the nose-down attitude had increased, the nose gear struck the ground and ruptured.

2. Additional information

The 23-year-old pilot had logged 56 flight hours, all on type, including 16 hours in solo flight.

He indicated that the weather conditions were the following: wind from 340° of 3 kt, CAVOK, temperature 16°C.

3. Safety lessons

On its 2020 safety lessons page for light aeroplanes[1], the BEA has published a chapter concerning rejected landings and go-arounds.

“When confronted with an unexpected situation during the landing (long flare, bounce, lateral swerve), the pilot may have to make choices in a very dynamic situation: continue the landing with the risk of damaging the plane or take-off again The study of previous events shows that the accidents with the most serious consequences during the take-off occur, above all, during go-arounds performed with insufficient control of the aircraft. On the other hand, the accidents which occurred when the landing was continued, while they often lead to material damage, rarely result, on a light aeroplane, in serious or fatal injuries. During training or recurrent training, it is important to mention the various mechanical phenomena of the flight occurring during a rejected landing. It is also essential to consider all the criteria to be taken into account in order to decide whether it is preferable to reject rather than continue the landing.”