Incident Overview
On 19 September 2004, at approximately 1745 hours UTC, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee (registration G-NINC) was involved in a landing accident at Old Buckenham Airfield in Norfolk. The aircraft, manufactured in 1972 and powered by a single Lycoming O-360-A4M piston engine, was being operated on a private flight with only the pilot on board. The pilot, a 30-year-old holder of an Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority Private Pilot Licence, had accumulated 95 total flying hours, of which 25 were on the Piper PA-28 type. His recent flying experience included 4 hours in the last 90 days and 4 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
After a local area flight, the pilot returned to the airfield to conduct a series of touch-and-go landings on grass Runway 25. Weather conditions were fair with a surface wind from 220° at 10 knots. The first approach was flown at 80 mph with full flap, and the pilot was satisfied with the speed and angle of approach. However, he flared the aircraft slightly late, resulting in a three-point touchdown. Attempting to control the subsequent bounce, the pilot experienced a second touchdown that also resulted in a bounce. By this stage, the pilot commented that he was over-controlling the aircraft and was established in a series of pilot-induced oscillations. A third, more severe bounce followed, causing the aircraft to touch down hard in a nose-down attitude.
Damage and Outcome
The hard landing damaged the nose landing gear leg, which became bent, and the engine was shock loaded. The engine mounting and engine bay bulkhead also sustained damage. The propeller struck the ground during the event. The aircraft eventually came to rest, and the pilot, who was uninjured, was able to vacate the aircraft without difficulty.
Investigation Findings
The investigation was based on the pilot's submitted Aircraft Accident Report Form and subsequent telephone enquiries. No probable cause was stated in the source material.