Accident to the Piper PA28 registered F-GKAO on 19/08/2024 at Dinan-Trélivan
Hard landing during a touch-and-go, failure of nose gear
This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.
Note: the following information is principally based on statements made by the student pilot and the instructor. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.
1. HISTORY OF THE FLIGHT
The pilot took off to carry out circuits on runway 25. During the touch-and-go landing on completion of the second runway circuit, the nose gear made hard contact with the runway three times and then ruptured.
2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1 Pilot experience and statement
At the time of the accident, the pilot held an aeroplane Private Pilot Licence (PPL (A)) with a SEP rating valid until 31 July 2025. He had logged 170 flight hours. His last flight, more than three months previously (101 days), was a 45-min flight with an instructor.
The pilot indicated that on final, he slightly increased the speed due to turbulence. He also thought that he might have been slightly above the approach slope.
He explained that he believed that the instability of the aeroplane during the nose gear bounces was such that he could not take off again in good conditions.
As he considered that the remaining runway length was sufficient, he decided to continue the landing and braked.
The pilot thought that he lacked training on runway 25.
2.2 Meteorological information
The weather conditions at Dinard aerodrome, situated 8.7 NM from the town of Dinan, were wind 200°/12 kt, visibility 8,000 m, a few clouds at 4,200 ft, temperature 24°C, dewpoint 14°C, QNH 1015 hPa. No significant changes were forecast.
2.3 Recent experience
The flying club’s internal regulations specify that any pilot who has not flown for more than three months must carry out a flight with an instructor.
2.4 Aerodrome information
QFU 071 is preferred to avoid long landings on runway 25 which has a downward slope.
December 2024