Incident Overview
On 13 June 2000, at 1040 UTC, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration G-LFSC) operated as a training flight was returning to Liverpool Airport from a landaway at Blackpool. The aircraft was crewed by two persons (pilot and passenger) and no passengers were aboard. No injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained a bent propeller and a burst tyre.
Flight Details
The pilot, aged 42, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 286 total flying hours, of which 132 were on the PA-28-140 type. His flying experience in the previous 90 days was 2 hours, with no hours in the last 28 days.
Weather and Air Traffic Control
Weather conditions at Liverpool Airport were reported as good with clear visibility, scattered clouds, and a surface wind from 290° at 16 kt. Liverpool Air Traffic Control cleared the aircraft to join the Runway 27 circuit on base leg for landing.
Accident Sequence
The approach was described by the pilot as slightly steeper than normal. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced and impacted the ground a second time, landing heavily on the nosewheel. The aircraft then veered slightly to the right and came to a halt with the nose tyre deflated and damage to the propeller. The pilot and passenger vacated the aircraft without difficulty.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot considered that the accident was caused by misjudgement of the landing flare and failure to respond to the subsequent bounce rapidly enough.