AAIB investigation to Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-BPIK

Student bounced landing, Carlisle, 15 July 2014.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 15 July 2014
• Aircraft type: Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
• Location: Runway 25, Carlisle Airport, Cumbria
• Registration: G-BPIK

Summary:

The student pilot had returned to Carlisle from Newcastle Airport. The flight was intended to be the qualifying cross-country navigation which he required for his Private Pilot’s Licence. The weather conditions were good and the approach to the runway was described as normal but during the landing the student left the flare too late and the aircraft bounced back up into the air. He tried to control the bounce, but on the second, firmer landing, the nose landing gear collapsed. The aircraft then veered off the runway and came to rest on the grass. The student, who was uninjured, shut down the aircraft and vacated it normally.

The student and his instructor agreed that after the initial bounce, initiating a go-around would have been a safer course of action.

Download report:

Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk G-BPIK 11-14.pdf

Published 10 December 2014