What happened
On 23 June 2005, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-ZEBY, was involved in an accident during a training flight at Full Sutton Airfield in Yorkshire. The aircraft, operated by a student pilot, was performing its second solo circuit as part of training for a Private Pilot's Licence.
During the landing phase on the grass runway, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces. After an initial touchdown, the aircraft rose back into the air and subsequently experienced a second, more significant bounce. In an attempt to execute a go-around, the pilot applied full throttle; however, at the moment of power application, the aircraft's pitch was below the horizon. This resulted in a heavy impact on the nose landing gear, causing it to collapse. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft through the cabin door without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot. The examiner established that the weather conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 km and light winds from 260ºM at 4 kt. The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing maneuvers and the pilot's response to the aircraft's unstable flight path.
Findings
- The pilot misjudged the aircraft's height during the flare, which led to the initial bounce.
- The sudden nature of the second bounce caused the pilot to apply power at an inappropriate time.
- The primary cause of the nose gear collapse was the heavy impact on the nose landing gear following a low pitch attitude during an ill-timed go-around attempt.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and the nose leg.