History of the Flight
On 14 July 2016, a Piper PA-28-161, registration 9M-SKE, was being flown by a student pilot on a solo circuit and landing sortie at Malacca International Airport, Melaka, Malaysia. The student pilot was the sole occupant. The first circuit was uneventful. During the second circuit, the student pilot established on finals for Runway 22 and was cleared to land. She recalled an airspeed of 70 knots and reducing power over the threshold. As the aircraft began to sink, she applied back pressure to flare. The main landing gear contacted the runway, but the aircraft bounced. She intended to go around, but before applying full power, a second bounce occurred. She then applied full power, but fearing a pitch-up and tail strike, she immediately reduced power to idle. This caused the aircraft to land nosewheel-first, resulting in a third bounce. The aircraft came to rest in a nose-down attitude on the runway at the 500-foot marker. The tower contacted the student pilot via radio, and she confirmed she was uninjured. She shut down the aircraft and vacated it, then called her instructor by mobile phone.
Injuries to Persons
The student pilot was not injured.
Damage to Aircraft
An assessment revealed substantial damage to the nosewheel gear assembly and damage to the propeller. Scuff marks on the runway were consistent with a hard landing and nosewheel collapse. Photographs of the damage are available in the original report's appendix.
Personnel Information
The student pilot, a 19-year-old Malaysian female, held a valid Student Pilot License (SPL No. 12613) valid until 31 March 2017, and a valid medical certificate. She had logged 23 total flying hours, all on type.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-161, serial number 28-8316085, registered 9M-SKE. It was owned and operated by Malaysian Flying Academy Sdn Bhd (MFA), an approved Aviation Training Organisation based at Malacca International Airport. The aircraft used AvGas fuel.
Meteorological Information
Weather on the day was reported as CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) with wind from 220 degrees at 6 knots.
Communications
After the accident, the tower inquired about the student pilot's condition via radio and alerted the Airport Fire and Rescue Service and MFA's flight operations.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft was secured and recovered to the operator's hangar. Scuff marks on the runway corresponded to the hard landing and nosewheel collapse.
Analysis
The student pilot reported satisfaction with her approach, but the first bounce caught her by surprise, preventing a timely go-around. The analysis indicated that the student pilot most likely contributed to the accident by applying insufficient flare during the initial touchdown. After the second bounce, she applied full power but immediately retarded it to idle due to fear of a pitch-up and tail strike, which instead caused the aircraft to pitch down and land nosewheel-first, leading to the third bounce and nosewheel collapse. Training materials and instructional methods were found to be within normal standards.
Conclusion
The accident was classified as an Abnormal Runway Contact (ARC).