What happened
On December 23, 2010, a Piper PA-28-236, registration HK2626G, was conducting a private flight from Guaymaral to Manizales. While approaching runway 10 at La Nubia Airport, the pilot was informed by the tower of bird activity on the final approach.
During the landing phase, the aircraft made contact with the runway but immediately began bouncing. The aircraft underwent a total of three bounces on the runway surface. The intensity of these bounces increased with each impact, eventually leading to the fracture of the nose landing gear and a sudden engine stoppage as the propeller struck the pavement. The aircraft slid along the runway, causing significant abrasion to the fuselage and propeller, before coming to a halt near taxiway Alpha. All four occupants (the pilot and three passengers) evacuated the aircraft without injury, and no fire occurred.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined the flight logs, maintenance records, and the physical evidence left on the runway. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid private pilot license and medical certificate, and the aircraft was airworthy with all maintenance up to date.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's approach parameters, noting that the pilot was flying at a high airspeed and a high descent rate. The investigation also reviewed the tower controller's statements and the pilot's actions during the bounced landing. The physical inspection of the aircraft revealed a fractured nose gear, bent propeller tips, and damage to the engine mount beams.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unstabilized approach characterized by excessive altitude and high airspeed.
- The presence of birds on the final approach likely distracted the pilot, affecting his spatial perception of altitude and distance.
- The pilot used an improper recovery technique by attempting to control the aircraft's attitude through aggressive elevator inputs (pulling and pushing the controls) during the bounces, which exacerbated the vertical loads.
- A tailwind component contributed slightly to the increased ground speed during touchdown.
- The high sink rate during the initial contact generated excessive kinetic energy that the landing gear could not absorb, leading to the structural failure.