Introduction
At approximately 1120 local time on 17 June 2014, a Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-28-140, registration LN-LMB, experienced a hard landing at Ski flyplass (ENSI) in Akershus, Norway. The aircraft was operated by Follo flyklubb on a visual flight rules (VFR) training flight. The pilot, a 68-year-old private pilot with a PPL(A) license and 186 total flight hours (182 on type), was conducting landing circuits. The accident occurred in daylight with light northerly wind, good visibility, and cloudless skies.
Accident Sequence
The pilot performed a pre-flight inspection and departed from runway 01, completing a successful full-stop landing on the first circuit. Ski flyplass has a 20-meter-wide, 500-meter-long grass strip; touch-and-go landings are not permitted, so each landing required a full stop and taxi back.
On the second approach, the pilot selected full flaps and maintained 75 mph on final. The aircraft was high on final, so the pilot initiated a steeper descent. According to the pilot's statement, the flare for landing likely started too late. The aircraft contacted the ground with considerable force, bounced, and touched down a second time with another hard impact. After taxiing to the parking area, the pilot noticed a low nose attitude and, after shutdown, observed damage to the nose gear leg, propeller, and engine mounts.
Investigation Findings
The investigation by the Statens Havarikommisjon for Transport (AIBN) revealed that the landing occurred 275 meters along the runway. The nosewheel and main wheels struck the ground nearly simultaneously, and propeller marks were found at both the first and second touchdown points (45 meters apart). The pilot stated that he misjudged the situation by continuing the approach instead of aborting the landing when high on final.
The AIBN concurred that the landing should have been aborted. They noted that the speed over the threshold was likely higher than recommended, and the steeper approach complicated the flare. The pilot's concern about overshooting may have led him to not take sufficient time for a normal flare. Insufficient flare caused the aircraft to hit the ground hard and bounce. Instead of maintaining pitch attitude and adding power to go around, the pilot lowered the nose, resulting in a second hard contact. The AIBN assessed that, given the hard first impact likely caused damage, completing the landing was a better option than adding power for a go-around.
Probable Cause
Insufficient flare during landing caused the aircraft to impact the ground hard and bounce, leading to damage to the nose gear, propeller, and engine mounts.