Cessna 172 C-GTHL
14 August 2003
Fredericton, New Brunswick
The solo student-pilot was participating in the Air Cadet Atlantic Region Powered Flying Scholarship program through Moncton Flying College (MFC). She had just completed the first leg of a Visual Flight Rule (VFR) cross-country flight when, while on short final to Fredericton Airport, she changed from a normal approach and landing configuration to a short-field approach and landing configuration in order to hold short of a runway intersection. . This change was done at the request of the Fredricton Flight Service Station (FSS) specialist to accommodate other traffic. The accident aircraft landed hard, bounced several times, and finally came to rest on the runway past the intended hold-short intersection. The cadet received minor injuries while the aircraft received "C" category damage.
The investigation determined that the aircraft was serviceable prior to the accident. Also, the FSS specialist was unaware of the pilot's student status.
By accepting the 'hold-short' request, the solo pilot placed herself in a position in which a stabilized approach was never achieved. Following the unstable approach, the student attempted to complete a full-flap, short-field landing at a higher than prescribed airspeed, which resulted in the accident. The option of conducting an overshoot was available at various points during this sequence of events.
This accident highlights the requirement to include Human Performance in Military Aviation (HPMA) training into the Air Cadet Powered Flying Scholarship Program. HPMA includes topics on time-management, and decision-making. As well, students should be reminded during the training program that they have limited experience and should not attempt to perform complex manoeuvres under pressure without supervision.
There is also a requirement that Air Traffic Control (ATC) be advised of a pilot's student status on the flight plan. This will remind them of the pilot's limited experience, and assist ATC in their management of traffic flow.
The final report is available on the DFS website.
| 
