Incident Overview
On 15 March 2003, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk (registration G-BSVV) sustained substantial damage during a training flight at Panshanger Aerodrome, Hertford. The aircraft was operated by a student pilot on her third solo flight, conducting a supervised solo consolidation exercise. The pilot, aged 40, had 43 hours of flying experience, all on the Tomahawk type, with 25 hours in the preceding 90 days and 5 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
During the fourth touch-and-go landing, the student reported that the touchdown was heavy. On climb out, she perceived that the rudder was ineffective and that engine power was fluctuating. She initially selected a field for a forced landing, but engine power was restored, allowing her to position for a normal approach to Runway 11. The first approach was too high, prompting a go-around. On the second approach, her instructor radioed that the nose landing gear might have suffered damage and advised her to be prepared for a collapse. After a successful touchdown, the nose leg collapsed backwards, and the aircraft came to a halt on its engine cowling just off the right side of the runway. The pilot evacuated the aircraft normally and without injury.
Examination Findings
The instructor, who observed the heavy touchdown that caused the damage, noted that the nose wheel had touched down first, causing the aircraft to bounce. A subsequent examination by the maintenance company revealed that the nose leg upper mount had failed during the initial impact. This failure exerted a pull on the steering cables, forcing the rudder pedals forward against the engine firewall, thereby rendering the rudder pedals immovable. Additionally, the steering crank on the leg contacted the mixture controls to the carburettor, explaining the uneven engine operation.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair. No injuries were sustained by the pilot.
Cause
The investigation determined that the nose leg upper mount failed due to the first impact from a heavy landing where the nose wheel touched down first.