What happened
On 5 April 2007, a Piper PA-28-235, registration G-BAMM, was conducting a private flight at Sandown Airport, Isle of Wight. During the approach to Runway 23, the pilot maintained an indicated airspeed of 90 mph with two stages of flap and 1,700 rpm. The descent proceeded normally despite the absence of a headwind.
As the aircraft crossed the threshold, the airspeed was approximately 80 mph. The pilot closed the throttle, and the main landing gear made contact with the runway at roughly 75 mph, which was 5 mph above the intended touchdown speed of 70 mph. Following the initial touchdown, the aircraft experienced a slight bounce. While the pilot initially believed the bounce was due to excessive speed or runway surface irregularities, the aircraft subsequently pitched forward. The nosewheel made contact with the grass, causing the aircraft to slide along the runway centerline until it came to a halt.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board. The aircraft sustained damage to the engine, the propeller, and the nosewheel, with the nose gear oleo being destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and reviewed reports from the pilot and airport staff. While the pilot maintained that the nosewheel remained off the ground during the bounce and did not believe the landing was heavy, eyewitness accounts provided a different perspective. Witnesses observed the aircraft bouncing multiple times, noting that the final bounce was particularly steep, and observed the gear collapse immediately upon touchdown.
Findings
- The nose landing gear oleo failed because it bent due to an overload.
- There was no evidence of any pre-existing defect in the landing gear assembly.
- The collapse occurred following a significant bounce on the runway.