What happened
On 28 October 2016, a Piper PA-32R-300 aircraft, registration N83VK, was performing a private flight when it encountered an incident during landing at Stapleford Aerodrome, Essex. The approach to Runway 21L was conducted under normal conditions, with a dry runway and winds from 260° at 9 knots.
While the aircraft initially touched down on the asphalt insert of the runway, the pilot noted that the aircraft began to drift toward the left side of the paved area during the landing roll. The pilot did not take immediate action to correct this drift, anticipating that the aircraft would exit the asphalt onto the grass at a sufficiently low speed. However, as the aircraft transitioned from the asphalt onto the grass surface, the nose landing gear failed and fractured. This caused the propeller to strike the ground, resulting in damage to the propeller, the nose gear, and potential shock-loading to the engine.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot and further enquiries. The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing roll and the transition between the asphalt and grass surfaces. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 75 total flying hours, was able to exit the aircraft without injury.
Findings
- The aircraft drifted off the paved runway surface during the landing roll.
- The nose landing gear fractured upon contact with the grass surface.
- The incident resulted in damage to the nose gear, propeller, and possible engine damage.