What happened
On 18 December 1998, a Piper PA-28-140, registration G-BCJM, was performing a private flight when it experienced an incident during landing at Manchester Airport. While approaching Runway 24, the aircraft encountered surface winds of 170° at 10 knots. Upon touchdown, the aircraft initially made contact with the main wheels but subsequently pitched forward, striking the runway with the nosewheel.
Following the impact, the aircraft was taxied to the parking area. At this stage, the extent of the damage to the nose landing gear, propeller, and engine bearers was identified. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The pilot suggested that the aircraft might have experienced a stall during the flare phase of the landing, potentially triggered by turbulence. However, a technical engineering examination of the G-BC0JM was conducted to verify the aircraft's attitude at the moment of impact. This examination established that the Piper PA-28-140 had indeed made contact with the runway in a nose down attitude.