Accident Overview
On 18 December 1999 at 1432 UTC, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration G-SCPL) sustained damage during a landing at Gloucester Airport. The aircraft, a 1977 model powered by a Lycoming O-320-E3D engine, was on a private flight with one pilot and one passenger. No injuries were reported.
Flight and Landing Sequence
The pilot arrived early for a planned local flight and performed a thorough pre-flight check, finding no unserviceabilities. Weather conditions were good with a surface wind of 100°/5 kt and no cloud below 3,000 feet above ground level.
After an uneventful takeoff and general handling in the local area, the pilot noticed a gradual deterioration in visibility and decided to return to the airport. With air traffic control clearance, he joined the overhead for Runway 09. No other aircraft were in the circuit. The pilot selected full flap while turning finals, recalling an airspeed indication of 65 kt and that the PAPI lights showed two reds and two whites during his finals call. The approach remained stable up to the threshold, where he reduced power to idle and flared the aircraft.
Landing and Ground Contact
Upon contact with the ground, the nose pitched down, and the pilot felt the aircraft veering left. He then noted the right wingtip striking the ground. The pilot perceived that the controls lacked positive feel and that he had no apparent directional control. The aircraft departed the runway to the left and came to rest with the nosewheel collapsed.
Post-Accident Examination
Subsequent examination of the runway revealed nosewheel scuff marks and propeller strikes. The repair agency found no obvious signs of pre-existing damage in the nose leg assembly. Neither the pilot nor his passenger, who was a student pilot, considered the landing particularly hard, and both were certain that the stall warning buzzer did not activate during the flare or landing.
The pilot could not identify any single action that led to the accident. He later flew with a qualified flying instructor to review and practice his landing technique, subsequently renewing his self-confidence.
Damage
The accident resulted in the nose leg breaking off, the propeller being destroyed, the engine experiencing shock loading, and both wingtips being damaged.