History of the Flight
The pilot of the Piper PA-28-236, G-CSBD, landed at Old Buckenham Airfield on 27 February 2022 with a 15 kt crosswind. During the rollout, the pilot encountered a crosswind gust and applied a rudder input. This immediately initiated a violent nosewheel shimmy, which the pilot described as making the aircraft "virtually uncontrollable". As the aircraft slowed to 20 kt, the shimmy subsided, and the aircraft continued to taxi normally. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft found that the rudder had been damaged and that the nosewheel tyre sidewall had been severely damaged. The sidewall damage appeared to have been caused by a foreign object, probably a stone, becoming trapped between the wheel spat and the tyre. No other faults were found with the nosewheel steering or rudder system. It is suspected that the trapped object caused the shimmy, which then led to the rudder damage.
AAIB Observations
The AAIB noted that it is not known when, how, or where the foreign object was picked up. However, the AAIB has reported on several previous occurrences where aircraft wheel spats have been causal or contributory factors in accidents. In one case, wheel spat mud contamination was a contributory factor in a fatal accident. As a result, the CAA drew attention to Safety Sense Leaflet 12 - Strip Flying and reminded owners of aircraft fitted with wheel spats to take account of ground conditions and to ensure wheel spats are clear of contamination.