What happened
On 9 August 1998, a Piper PA-34, registration N9281D, was involved in an incident at Jersey Airport, Channel Islands. The aircraft, operated for a private flight, was being used by the pilot to practice a short-field performance landing following a pleasure flight. At the time of the maneuver, the aircraft was operating near its maximum landing weight in calm wind conditions.
The pilot configured the aircraft according to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, utilizing full flaps and targeting a touchdown speed of 85 kt. While the initial approach proceeded normally, the aircraft experienced a high bounce upon first contact with the runway. In response to this bounce, the pilot moved the control column forward. This action led to two subsequent bounces. The pilot elected not to perform a go-around, driven by a concern that the propellers might strike the runway surface. As the aircraft exited the runway onto the grass area, the nose landing gear became detached from the airframe.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of the landing maneuver and the aircraft's configuration. The investigation established that the aircraft was heavy and the pilot was attempting a specific performance technique. The focus was placed on the pilot's decision-making during the series of bounces and the subsequent movement of the control column.