Piper PA-28 Archer Front Landing Gear Failure at Annemasse

Incident Overview On 16 June 2012 at 17:10 local time, a Piper PA-28 Archer registered D-EPAZ, operated by a club, was heavily damaged following a landing incident at Annemasse aerodrome (74). The aircraft had departed from Issoire aerodrome (63) for a flight to Annemasse. ## Approach and Landing The pilot conducted a circuit at the destination aerodrome and estimated the wind at 10 knots. During the flare for runway 30, the aircraft climbed under the influence of a gust and then bounced three times. On the third bounce, the pilot increased engine power. The aircraft subsequently struck the runway on its nose gear, which broke. The pilot reported that one fuel tank was full and the other nearly empty upon arrival. During the final approach in full-flap configuration, the pilot had increased speed by 5 knots due to crosswind. ## Pilot Experience and Conditions The pilot had a total of 300 flight hours, including 10 hours on type, and 30 hours in the preceding three months, including 10 hours on type and 1 hour 40 minutes in the previous 24 hours. Before entering the circuit, the pilot had listened to the Geneva ATIS, which reported wind from 230 degrees at 16 knots, few clouds at 6,300 feet, visibility greater than 10 kilometers, and a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius.