A Savannah lost control on landing last Wednesday resulting in Damage to Right Wing, Sheared off Nose Wheel and subsequent Propeller Strike.
Well what happened, I was at the controls of my good friend Mark Kyle's pride and joy. Fortunately my passenger and I exited unharmed but I am so upset to have damaged Mark's Aircraft.
Andy a pilot mate and I had enjoyed a great flight from Caboolture and around Moreton and Stradbroke Islands. On returning from Moreton about half way the flight was interrupted by a moderate vibration. Understand Marks plane having had the prop balanced runs as smooth as, suddenly a vibration were everything was shaking and we were at 3000' and about 5nm from shore. No loss of power and temps ok, turned on Aux fuel pump and carby heat. Continually talked to my passenger with the numbers and continued on as turning back may have meant a beach landing. Maintained 3000' till Bribie Isl then reduced height in reach of Bribie Golf Courses and Hazelton Airfield. Called straight in 3o at YCAB and landed about 10knt headwind. Relieved to be down safely I made my first mistake, I stopped flying the plane, looked over and smiled at Andy. Being just right of centre I applied pressure to left rudder, have inadvertently applied the toe Brake locked up the left main. It all happened very quickly, we veered sharp left, the nose wheel was sliding facing left and pressure to right rudder couldn't bring it back. Up on right Main and Nose wheel, the right wing impacted the ground and nose wheel sheared off and the propeller struck the ground. Fuel and Electrics off and Passenger and Pilot exited unharmed.
Needless to say I've learnt a lot from this incident and Mark has been incredible. I am very concerned to have placed my passenger at risk and very shattered to have grounded Mark. I'll be calling on Ballpoint (Neill) to do a couple of hours to sort this out.