Incident Details
On 23 February 2016 at 1138 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet (registration G-BPJS) operated by a student pilot on a training flight was landing on asphalt Runway 24 at Fairoaks Airport, Surrey. The student had completed two previous touch-and-go landings before this landing. An instructor observing from the control tower reported that the aircraft made an apparently normal touchdown but, once all three wheels were on the ground, it appeared to swing to the right and then to the left before departing the paved runway surface and coming to a stop on the grass. The reported wind was 330° at 6 kt and the runway surface was dry.
The student pilot stated that he had landed centrally on the runway but felt that the right wing was slightly raised. He used the rudder to steer the aircraft to the right but then realized he had over-corrected and applied left rudder to compensate. He believes he may have inadvertently touched the left brake, causing a skid that led the aircraft to slide off the runway. Post-accident examination revealed that the nose landing gear leg was bent to the left.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet (serial number 2841025, year of manufacture 1988), was powered by a Lycoming O-320-D3G piston engine. The student pilot, aged 41, held a student pilot licence and had a total flying experience of 10 hours, all on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 10 hours, and in the last 28 days, 7 hours. There were no passengers on board, and the pilot reported no injuries. The nature of damage was limited to the bent nose landing gear leg.
The information for this report was provided by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form.
Conclusion
The aircraft experienced a runway excursion during landing, with the nose landing gear sustaining damage. The pilot's account indicates a sequence of corrections that may have led to a skid. No probable cause was determined in the source material.