What happened
On 12 March 2013, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee, registration G-AYAR, was conducting a private VFR flight from Southend to Exeter Airport. Prior to departure, the pilot had consulted online weather reports which suggested favorable visibility and a high, scattered cloud base, despite the presence of strong, gusty winds from the northeast. The flight proceeded without incident, though the aircraft encountered occasional turbulence during the transit.
During the approach to Runway 08 at Exeter, the aircraft was flying at approximately 70 kt IAS with full flaps selected. The surface wind was recorded at 030°/18 kt, gusting to 28 kt. While the main wheels made contact with the runway normally, the subsequent touchdown of the nosewheel triggered a series of bounces. During this sequence, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway and come to a halt on the grass. The pilot successfully isolated the fuel and electrical systems before exiting the aircraft. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation, prompted by the pilot's accident report, focused on the sequence of the touchdown and the mechanical failure of the gear. The investigators examined the pilot's flight profile and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. It was noted that the pilot had experienced a Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) during the bouncing phase of the landing. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making regarding the approach speed and the potential for a go-around.