Hard Landing During Training – Tecnam P2008 at Cootamundra Aerodrome, New South Wales, Australia – November 20, 2024

Date:

November 20, 2024

Type of Aircraft:

Tecnam P2008

Owner/Operator:

Private (flight school?)

Fatalities:

0 / Occupants: 2

Other Fatalities:

0

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Location:

Cootamundra Aerodrome, NSW – Australia

Phase:

Landing

Nature:

Training (Private)

Departure Airport:

[Not specified, but likely Cootamundra Aerodrome for circuit training]

Destination Airport:

Cootamundra Aerodrome

Confidence Rating:

Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources

Circumstances:

A Tecnam P2008 aircraft was involved in a hard landing incident at Cootamundra Aerodrome during a training flight. The flight instructor was conducting a circuit emergencies lesson with a student pilot, focusing on simulated engine failure after take-off (EFATO).

Prior to the exercise, the instructor provided a detailed briefing and demonstrated the EFATO maneuver twice. The student pilot then successfully performed one EFATO under the instructor’s guidance. However, during the student’s second attempt, the instructor reduced engine power to idle to simulate an engine failure, and the student reacted incorrectly by pulling the control stick fully aft, contrary to the briefed instructions.

Despite the instructor’s verbal commands and attempts to counteract the student’s input by applying forward pressure on the control stick, they were unable to overpower the student. The instructor then attempted to initiate a go-around, but the aircraft descended rapidly and made a hard landing on the runway. The impact caused the nosewheel to collapse, and the aircraft came to rest at the edge of the runway.

The incident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, but fortunately, neither the instructor nor the student sustained any injuries. This event highlights the challenges and potential risks associated with flight training, particularly during emergency procedures training, where unexpected student reactions can create critical situations.