Introduction
On 15 October 2000 at 1215 hours UTC, a Piper PA-38-112 aircraft, registration G-BNHG, sustained damage during a landing at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk. The aircraft was on a training flight with a student pilot and an instructor on board. There were no passengers.
Flight Details
The aircraft was manufactured in 1980 and powered by one Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. The instructor, aged 60, held a Commercial Pilot's Licence with Instrument and Instructor Ratings and had accumulated 13,032 flying hours, including 58 hours on type. The student pilot had a total of 16 hours flying experience.
Accident Description
After completing a training detail in the local area, the aircraft was landing on Runway 04 in calm wind conditions. According to the instructor, the approach was well flown with good speed control until the aircraft was approximately 4 feet above the runway. At that point, the student pilot abruptly closed the throttle. The aircraft settled rapidly onto the runway and bounced. The instructor was unable to intervene in time to prevent a subsequent heavy landing.
Aftermath
During the heavy landing, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft departed the paved surface to the left. Damage was limited to the nose area and propeller. Both occupants, who were wearing lap and diagonal upper torso restraint, escaped without injury. The Airport Fire Service arrived at the scene shortly after the incident.