Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu, registration N71WZ, manufactured in 2000. It was powered by a single Lycoming TIO-540 SER piston engine. The flight was a private operation with only the pilot on board, who held a Private Pilot's Licence with 680 total flying hours (472 on type). The pilot had flown 5 hours in the preceding 90 days and 1 hour in the last 28 days.
Accident Sequence
On 24 January 2015 at 1206 UTC, the aircraft was landing on Runway 26 at Bournemouth Airport. Weather conditions were described as fine, with a surface wind from 310° at 11 kt. The aircraft touched down on the runway centreline but immediately deviated to the left. It departed the paved surface onto adjacent wet grass before the pilot regained directional control through rudder pedal application and use of the right side wheel brakes. The pilot then steered the aircraft back toward the runway. As the aircraft crossed back onto the paved surface, the nose landing gear encountered a slightly recessed drain and collapsed, resulting in damage to the nosewheel, propeller, and windscreen.
Post-accident Observations
During recovery, the pilot noted that the left wheel brake appeared to be binding. Based on this observation and the aircraft's behaviour at touchdown, the pilot believed that the aircraft had touched down with undemanded partial left brake pressure applied. No further information was provided regarding maintenance records or brake system examination. The pilot reported no injuries.