Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-OCTU, powered by a single Lycoming O-320-D3G piston engine. It was manufactured in 1989. The flight was a private circuit consolidation exercise. The sole occupant was a 66-year-old student pilot with 98 hours total flying experience, of which 78 hours were on type. He had no flying hours in the preceding 90 days.
Accident Details
On 15 August 1998 at 1710 hours UTC, during the third approach of the exercise in light wind conditions, the airspeed was slightly high as the student pilot flared the aircraft for landing, causing it to begin climbing. The pilot then pushed the control column forward, and the nosewheel contacted the runway. The aircraft bounced twice; on the second bounce, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the nose landing gear and propeller. No injuries were reported.
Probable Cause
According to the pilot, the cause of the accident was his failure to go-around from a poor landing.