What happened
On 30 August 2013, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-DIAT, was completing a solo cross-country navigation exercise at Sandtoft Airfield, Lincolnshire. During the landing phase on Runway 23, the student pilot was flying at a speed of approximately 70 kt until the flare. At this stage, the pilot closed the throttle, but a gust of wind caused the aircraft to balloon.
Following this initial lift, the aircraft entered a series of pitch oscillations and bounces. The aircraft bounced two or three times, maintaining a relatively normal attitude during the initial oscillations. During the third bounce, the aircraft struck the runway in a flatter attitude, placing significantly higher force on the nose landing gear than usual. In an attempt to maintain weight on the nose leg, the pilot applied aft control column, but the nosewheel subsequently detached from the aircraft. The aircraft then came to a halt on the asphalt runway. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed reports provided by both the student pilot and his flying instructor. The instructor noted that the student had successfully completed eight good landings prior to this incident. However, another instructor at the airfield observed that the final approach for the accident flight appeared to be faster and higher than typical, which likely contributed to the initial ballooning effect.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a series of bounces following an initial ballooning caused by a wind gust.
- The third touchdown involved a harder landing force on the nose gear than normal.
- The nosewheel detached from the Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee due to the impact of the subsequent landing.