History of Flight
The student pilot was conducting a solo navigational flight in a Piper Cherokee PA28-180 (registration ZS-FHG). The aircraft departed from Bulembu Aerodrome in Bisho, routed via Port Elizabeth Aerodrome, and arrived at Grahamstown Aerodrome. The pilot planned to perform one touch-and-go. Upon arrival, the unmanned joining procedure was executed. The pilot selected Runway 22 based on the prevailing wind. The aircraft entered the circuit and executed a normal approach. During touchdown, the aircraft bounced and became airborne. The pilot pushed forward on the controls to regain airspeed, but the aircraft bounced a second time. The tail scraped the runway, causing a sudden pitch-down of the nose. The nosewheel contacted the ground, deflated, and the propeller struck the runway. As the aircraft reached the intersection of runways 34-16 and 22-04, the nosewheel broke off, and the aircraft came to a stop.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 22-year-old male Kenyan student pilot, holder of a valid student licence and medical certificate. He had accumulated 62.4 total flying hours, with 54.0 hours on type. The flight was a training operation under 43 Air School.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-180 (model P28A-180), serial number 28-4516, manufactured in 1968. The engine was a Lycoming O-360, and the propeller was a Sensenich SEN76EM855-0-60. The total airframe hours at the time of the incident were 6544.0. The last maintenance inspection was performed on 15 September 2009 at 6468.0 hours. The aircraft held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Certificate of Registration.
Meteorological Information
The weather at the time of the incident included surface wind from 220° at 10 knots, visibility CAVOK, temperature 21°C, and clear skies.
Aerodrome and Circumstances
The incident occurred at Grahamstown Aerodrome (FAGT), elevation 2135 ft, with grass runways. The aircraft used Runway 22 (1180 m x 40 m). The intersection of runways 22/04 and 16/34 was the location of the wheel breakage. There was no communication with air traffic control as the aerodrome was unmanned.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nosewheel and propeller. The nosewheel deflated and broke off; the propeller struck the ground. The cabin area remained intact. There was no other damage, and no pre- or post-impact fire occurred. The pilot evacuated unassisted and sustained no injuries.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be: Failure to recover from the initial touchdown bounce of the aircraft resulting in porpoising.