Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow, registration G-GYMM, manufactured in 1971 and powered by a single Lycoming IO-360-C1C piston engine. The private flight originated from Gloucester Airport and landed at Shobdon Airfield, Herefordshire, on 14 August 2011 at 1335 UTC. On board were the pilot, aged 59, holding a Commercial Pilot’s Licence with 506 total flying hours (55 on type), and one passenger. No injuries were reported.
History of the Flight
After an uneventful flight from Gloucester, the pilot performed an overhead circuit join followed by a visual approach to Runway 27. Final approach was flown with full flap selected at 75 kt, the recommended speed for the aircraft’s weight. The wind was 280° at 9 kt. During the roundout, the aircraft unexpectedly struck the ground heavily and bounced. The pilot landed after the bounce and taxied to the parking area.
Damage and Aftermath
During the walk-round inspection prior to the return flight to Gloucester, the pilot noticed wrinkling of the left wing skin and decided to leave by road while the aircraft was inspected. The inspection revealed severe distortion of both wings, leading the aircraft to be declared an economic total loss.
Observations
The pilot stated that he was unsure of the cause of the heavy landing, which he sensed was due to premature contact with the ground, and believed he may have misjudged the roundout. Witnesses in the control tower recalled that the approach had been flown well, but the aircraft appeared to flare at a height of about 10 feet above the runway before dropping rapidly onto its main wheels and bouncing. The severity of the heavy landing prompted the two controllers to comment to each other, though they were surprised when they later learned of the extent of the damage to the aircraft.