Accident Summary
On 31 January 2009 at 1215 UTC, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee (registration G-BFPR) sustained damage to its landing gear during a landing at Bicester Airfield, Bicester, Oxfordshire. The aircraft was on a private flight with a single pilot and no passengers. The pilot, aged 63, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 1,106 flying hours, of which 225 were on the accident type. His recent flying experience included 12 hours in the last 90 days and 2 hours in the last 28 days.
Approach and Landing
The pilot reported that during the approach to grass Runway 13, he experienced an unusual increase in the rate of descent, which resulted in a heavier than normal landing. During the ground roll, he observed that the right wing was lower than the left. This situation was caused by a bungee failure of the right main landing gear leg. The wind at the time was from 110° at 15 kt.
Damage and Injuries
The accident resulted in damage to the landing gear. No injuries were reported to the pilot.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was a bungee failure of the right main landing gear leg, which led to a heavier than normal landing and subsequent damage.