What happened
On the morning of 23 May 2001, a student pilot was conducting circuit training at FAPE. During the fourth circuit of the session, the pilot opted to perform a full-stop landing. As the aircraft approached the runway, it remained too high on the final approach path. This resulted in a hard landing where the aircraft ballooned momentarily. In an effort to correct the flight path, the pilot pushed the control stick forward, causing the nose wheel to strike the ground first, followed by the main landing gear.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the flight conditions and the pilot's credentials at the time of the incident. The weather was reported as fine, providing clear visibility and favorable meteorological conditions for flight. The pilot held a valid student license and a medical certificate that was current at the time of the accident. Furthermore, maintenance records indicated that the ZS-KKO, a PA38-112, had been properly maintained according to all necessary requirements. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries resulting from the event, though the aircraft suffered substantial structural damage.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was poor flying technique during the landing phase.
- The aircraft was too high on the final approach, leading to the initial hard impact.
- An improper control input (pushing the stick forward) contributed to the sequence of the nose wheel making contact with the ground before the main gear.