What happened
On 11 October 2007, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration G-BLWP, was conducting a circuit training exercise at Hawarden Airfield. The flight was being conducted by an instructor and a student pilot, who was the person handling the aircraft at the time of the incident. The weather was suitable for flight, characterized by light and variable surface winds.
During the approach to Runway 04, the instructor observed that the aircraft was slightly fast as it crossed the runway threshold. As the student pilot attempted to flare for landing, the aircraft ballooned. While a similar occurrence had happened during a previous landing where the student used power to correct the situation, the instructor did not immediately intervene this time. The student failed to take the necessary corrective action, leading to a heavy touchdown. Shortly after the aircraft began its landing roll, the nose undercarriage leg collapsed. The propeller struck the runway, resulting in damage to the propeller, engine, and cowlings. Both occupants, wearing appropriate safety harnesses, vacated the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight circumstances, the student pilot's recent flying history, and the mechanical sequence of the landing. It was noted that the student pilot had over 70 hours of total flying experience but had only recently joined the flight school. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's handling during the approach and the specific actions taken by the crew during the ballooning event.