Investigation number
199603747
Occurrence date
State
South Australia
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Hard landing
Occurrence class
Accident

The pilot was conducting solo circuit training and had completed 8 normal landings with no problems. He reported that the weather conditions were fine with no noticable crosswind component on the runway in use. He stated that the last approach was normal, but as he flared for landing the aircraft continued descending and touched down hard and bounced. He attempted to raise the nose to cushion the landing, but there was no response from his elevator inputs. The aircraft again contacted the ground heavily in a nose low attitude, shearing the nose landing gear attachment frame from the forward fuselage bulkhead, pushing it upwards and shattering the windscreen. Both propellers suffered ground strikes bending the blades. The pilot may have reduced engine power too soon prior to the landing flare, resulting in a reduction of propeller slipstream over the tailplane, with a subsequent loss of some elevator authority.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-34-200
Registration
VH-MCK
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Parafield SA
Destination
Parafield SA
Damage
Substantial