What happened
On March 12, 2005, a Piper PA 34-220T, registration I-ILAB, was performing a recreational flight returning to Venegono Airport after completing instrument procedures at Cuneo and Torino. During the final approach, the pilot executed the flare at an indicated airspeed of 95 knots with 20 degrees of flaps extended.
The aircraft initially made contact with the runway on its main gear. However, upon the nose gear making contact, the tire exploded, causing the nose to drop violently and creating a significant shock to the airframe. Following this initial impact, the aircraft bounced seven additional times along the runway. During these bounces, the engines left various tracks on the pavement, and the aircraft drifted approximately one meter to the left. The sequence ended at the end of the runway.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the mechanics of the landing and the aircraft's condition. Investigators examined the damage to the airframe, noting that the propellers were severely deformed inward, indicating low engine RPM at the time of impact. The investigation also analyzed the tire failure and the distribution of engine marks left on the runway during the seven bounces. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in a valid state of airworthiness and that no technical malfunctions contributed to the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's incorrect assessment of the descent rate during the final phase of the landing.
- The landing was characterized by a high vertical velocity, classifying it as a heavy landing.
- Environmental factors, specifically the presence of wind, likely contributed to the pilot's miscalculation of flight parameters.
- The explosion of the nose gear tire was a direct consequence of the initial high-impact contact.
- The occupants, a pilot and a passenger, sustained no injuries.