What happened
On the afternoon of 17 September 2021, a Piper PA28-140 Cherokee, registration ZS-FTS, was conducting circuit training at Lanseria International Aerodrome (FALA). Following several successful circuits with an instructor, the student pilot proceeded to perform a solo consolidation flight. The weather conditions at the time were favorable, characterized by light, variable winds and a temperature of 24°C.
During the landing phase on Runway 07, the student pilot misjudged the aircraft's height during the flare, mistakenly believing the landing gear had already made contact with the runway. This error led to a heavy touchdown and a subsequent bounce. In an attempt to recover, the pilot initiated a go-around; however, the aircraft had lost insufficient airspeed, leading to a stall and a second bounce. The aircraft then struck the runway with significant force on the nose gear, causing the gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. The student pilot was unable to open the aircraft doors immediately, requiring assistance from Aircraft Rescue and Fire-fighting (ARFF) personnel to egress. The student sustained minor injuries during the event.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that there were no mechanical defects or technical anomalies present in the Piper PA28-140 Cherokee that contributed to the accident. Furthermore, environmental factors and weather conditions were ruled out as contributing elements. The investigation focused on the flight maneuvers during the transition from final approach to landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the student pilot flared the aircraft too high, which triggered a sequence of a hard landing and two subsequent bounces.
- The loss of airspeed during the attempted go-around led to a stall, resulting in the final impact on the nose gear.
- The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, including a broken nose gear and propeller damage.