Loss of control during touch-and-go, Aquila AT01, PH-BAA, Breda International Airport
At around 12.45 hours, the student and instructor took off from Runway 24 for an instruction flight, during which the student was to practise touch-and-go’s under crosswind conditions. The subjects discussed during the pre-flight briefing included the weather conditions.
Two seconds after the round out had been initiated, at a height of approximately 2 metres above the runway, the speed had fallen to approximately 50 knots and the stall warning sounded. The speed fell further to around 40 knots, and the aircraft experienced a severe rolling motion to the left. The main landing gear of the aircraft touched the runway in traversing condition, followed by the nose wheel. As the nose wheel sprung in, the main landing gear rose free of the runway, after which the nose of the aircraft came up. The instructor stated that following the initial contact between aircraft and runway, he took back control, selected full power, and attempted to return the aircraft to horizontal flight. The aircraft then rolled to the right, at which point the right wing and nose wheel came into contact with the ground. The aircraft performed a ground loop and came to a standstill in the grass to the right of the runway, having completed a 180 degree turn. Both occupants remained unharmed. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
The flare was initiated too high above the runway and the critical angle of attack was exceeded. As a result, the aircraft stalled. This led to a bounced landing. The accident was discussed at the flying school, to improve the awareness of the instructors about when it is wise to intervene.
More information can be found in our Quarterly Aviation Report Q4 2022.
