Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a 1971 Piper PA-28-140, registration G-BBEV, powered by one Lycoming O-320-E2A piston engine. The flight was a private local pleasure flight, with two crew and two passengers on board. The commander, aged 50, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 49 hours of total flying experience, all on type. His recent flying included 10 hours in the last 90 days and 2 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Sequence
On 10 May 1998 at 1219 UTC, the pilot returned to Blackpool Airport. Runway 10 was in use. The weather was CAVOK with a surface wind of 110° at 7 knots and a temperature of 13°C. The first approach was abandoned due to traffic ahead, and a go-around was performed. The aircraft was cleared to land on the second approach. After an apparently normal approach, shortly before anticipated touchdown, the rate of descent suddenly increased and the aircraft landed heavily. The nosewheel subsequently collapsed, and the aircraft slid to a halt on the runway. The pilot selected the fuel and electrics off, and he and his passengers vacated the aircraft unassisted. The airport fire services arrived promptly.
Damage
The nosewheel and propeller were damaged, and the engine was shock loaded.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot assessed that the cause of the accident was that he did not allow for the effect of the extra weight of the passengers on the performance of an aircraft that he usually flew alone.