Accident Details
The accident occurred on 4 October 1999 at approximately 1000Z on Runway 06 at Lanseria Airport, South Africa. The aircraft involved was a Piper PA34-220T, registration ZS-LWI. It was owned by SWJ Beleggings (PTY) LTD and operated privately. The pilot was the sole occupant; there were no injuries or fatalities.
Flight and Pilot Information
The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, was 34 years old, and had a valid licence. His total flying experience was 3562.5 hours, with only 3 hours on the Piper PA34-220T type. He had completed his conversion onto the aircraft type 11 days before the accident. The pilot was accustomed to flying large jet aircraft.
Sequence of Events
On the day of the accident, the pilot decided to conduct circuit and landing practice. The air traffic controller observed that the aircraft bounced during each of the three landings the pilot performed. After the third landing, the pilot stopped the aircraft, and it was discovered that the propellers had contacted the runway surface, likely during the second landing.
Aircraft Characteristics
The source notes that this type of aircraft has a tendency to be nose heavy when only one or two persons are onboard and the fuel tanks are near full capacity. Under such loading conditions, the aircraft typically loses elevator authority at low speeds, causing the nose to drop.
Pilot Technique
The pilot stated that he "put the nose down". The report indicates that the pilot was used to flying large jet aircraft, which are flown with a nose-down technique, whereas small aircraft require the nose to be kept up until much lower speeds.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, was: "The pilot was used to larger jet aircraft and used the wrong technique when landing the aircraft."