What happened
On 11 November 2016, a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet, registration G-CDEF, was conducting a private flight from Thruxton, Hampshire, to Sandown Airfield on the Isle of Wight. The flight was operated by a pilot with extensive flying experience, though they had not previously landed at the destination.
During the final approach to runway 05, the pilot maintained a planned approach speed of 70 kt. As the aircraft descended to approximately 300 feet, the pilot observed that the runway threshold was displaced. In an attempt to land beyond the displaced threshold, the pilot increased throttle to raise the airspeed. The aircraft subsequently made a firm touchdown and bounced. Following a second touchdown, the pilot noted damage to the nosewheel. A subsequent bounce occurred, during which the propeller struck the grass runway, causing the aircraft to come to a halt. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the landing and the aircraft's performance. It was noted that while the pilot had increased the approach speed to 70 kt to account for a heavy passenger, the aircraft was actually below its maximum landing weight. The pilot suggested that the initial touchdown may have occurred on an upslope just before the displaced threshold. Additionally, a witness from a local flying club suggested that the aircraft's movement during the landing sequence was indicative of pilot-induced oscillation.