What happened
On 4 August 2022, a Piper PA-28-140, registration G-BCJN, was conducting circuit training at Cotswold Airport. During the third approach of the flight, the instructor became dissatisfied with the student's handling of the aircraft and decided to initiate a go-around.
During this maneuver, a breakdown in communication occurred between the two pilots. While the instructor believed he had taken control, the student continued to make control inputs, leading to a period of confusion regarding who was flying the aircraft. Consequently, the go-around was not executed effectively. The aircraft descended and briefly touched the runway before becoming airborne again at a very low altitude and speed.
As the aircraft flew low over the airfield, it veered left from the runway track. The aircraft passed between two parked, out-of-use airliners, and the right wing tip struck the nose landing gear of an Airbus A321, severing the outer portion of the wing. The aircraft then continued across the grass, breached the airfield perimeter fence, and crossed the A429 road. The flight ended when the aircraft struck trees near a vehicle yard and came to rest in a ditch. Both occupants sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the aircraft, which was found to have no pre-existing mechanical defects that would have hindered performance. Investigators used airfield CCTV and photogrammetry to reconstruct the flight path and ground speed.
The investigation focused on the handover of control. According to standard procedures, the instructor should say "I have control," and the student should respond "you have control." In this instance, the instructor recalled making the command, but the student did not recall hearing it. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's airspeed indicator, noting the student had previously struggled with speed control due to the dual scales on the instrument.
Findings
- The go-around was mishandled due to a confused handover of control between the student and the instructor.
- The go-around actions were not effectively initiated, causing the aircraft to diverge from the runway at a low altitude and speed.
- The aircraft was likely flying at an airspeed below the minimum power speed, leaving it with insufficient performance to climb.
- The aircraft's right wing was damaged after striking the nose gear of a parked Airbus A321.