What happened
On 23 April 2005, a student pilot was conducting a training flight at Liverpool Airport. Having successfully completed four landings under the supervision of an instructor, the student was deemed ready for their first solo flight. The instructor vacated the Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration G-LFSM, leaving the student to perform a solo circuit.
During the landing phase, the student reduced the engine power to idle. However, the pilot failed to apply the necessary rearward pressure on the control yoke to execute a proper flare. Consequently, the aircraft experienced a heavy touchdown. The impact was severe enough that the propeller tips contacted the runway surface, and the nose landing gear oleo was heavily compressed. Following the landing, the student encountered significant difficulty taxiing the aircraft back to the apron.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident revealed that the nose landing gear oleo had lost its gas pressure, with oil leaking from the leg. Additionally, the landing gear leg had become detached from the main steering yoke. As a result of the impact, the engine was removed to undergo a shock load inspection, and the airframe was subjected to a comprehensive heavy landing inspection to check for structural integrity.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to apply rearward pressure on the yoke to flare the aircraft during the landing flare.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller tips, the nose wheel oleo, and the steering yoke.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.