What happened
On 17 September 2013, a student pilot operating a Piper Cherokee 140, registration ZS-PGC, was conducting a solo training flight from Port Alfred Aerodrome (FAPA) in the Eastern Cape. After completing a routine flight in the general flying area, the pilot returned to the aerodrome for landing on runway 28L.
During the landing flare, the pilot applied excessive back pressure on the control column, causing the aircraft to balloon. Although the pilot attempted to initiate a go-around, the delay in response meant the aircraft touched down on its nose wheel. Upon contact, the aircraft veered to the right. In an effort to correct the direction, the pilot applied left rudder, which caused the aircraft to swing to the left of the runway. The aircraft then traveled parallel to the runway until the nose wheel dug into soft soil, resulting in the failure of the nose oleo strut.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the student pilot was properly licensed and had received authorization from a flight instructor for the solo mission. The aircraft, owned by 43 Air School (Pty) Ltd, was found to be fully airworthy and maintained according to all necessary regulations. Meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were favorable, with clear skies and light winds that were well within the operational limits of the aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's application of excessive back pressure on the control column during the flare, which led to the ballooning effect.
- The pilot failed to execute a timely recovery from the ballooning maneuver, leading to a hard touchdown on the nose wheel.
- The pilot's limited flight experience, totaling only 33.9 hours, was a contributing factor to the loss of directional control following the touchdown.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose gear, and oleo strut, but the student pilot escaped without injury.