Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-BOHU, 9 August 2012
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-BOHU
Summary:
The aircraft was landing after a short flight from Denham to Elstree, halfway through a multi-leg trip from the aircraft’s base at Swansea. On board were two qualified pilots, who were exchanging the pilot-in-command role on each leg.
The weather was fine, with a forecast wind from the north-west at 3 kt. The wind for landing was assessed as variable in direction at less than 5 kt. Runway 08 was being used, which was 651 m long and 20 m wide, with an overall down slope of 1.3%. The pilot experienced some difficulty achieving target approach speed and executed a go-around from his first two approaches. On the third approach, the aircraft touched down at a higher speed than was intended and started a sharp yaw to the left, which the pilot was unable to control. The nosewheel departed the paved surface, causing the aircraft to decelerate and yaw further left, during which the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller was damaged. Both occupants were uninjured, and vacated the aircraft in the normal manner. The pilot considered that difficulties achieving the target approach speed and his aircraft handling during the landing were the factors involved in the outcome.
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