What happened
On 12 September 2004, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III, registration G-CCHL, was performing a private flight returning to Lydd Airport in Kent. The flight, which included the pilot and two passengers, had previously visited two rural landing sites in France.
As the aircraft approached Runway 22 on long finals, the pilot encountered a 21-knot wind from 240 degrees, characterized by gusts and a crosswind component. Due to ongoing resurfacing work on the runway, the threshold had been displaced, and the area was marked by a barrier board and a row of large motorway-style cones. Because of the maintenance, the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system was unavailable.
To manage the turbulence and gusts, the pilot increased the approach speed from 75 kt to 80 kt and utilized two stages of flaps rather than the usual three. The pilot aimed for a touchdown point beyond the cones to ensure safety. However, during the flare, the wind speed decreased abruptly, causing the aircraft to sink more rapidly than anticipated. While the pilot applied power to stabilize the aircraft and achieved a normal touchdown, the underside of the fuselage and the port wing struck the cones.
The investigation
Following the landing, the pilot and passengers taxied to the parking area, initially unaware that any impact had occurred. A post-flight inspection by the occupants revealed no visible damage. However, an observer in the control tower witnessed the contact and reported the incident to the flying group. A subsequent detailed examination of the G-CCHL revealed skin panel damage on the underside of the fuselage and the port wing, consistent with striking the runway cones.