What happened
On 26 May 2014, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BODB, was performing a private flight at Sandtoft Airfield in Lincolnshire. Following the landing phase, the aircraft began to deviate from the centerline, drifting toward the left shoulder of the runway.
In an attempt to maintain the runway centerline, the pilot applied opposite rudder and braking. However, these corrective actions were unsuccessful, and the drift intensified. The aircraft subsequently departed the runway surface and came to a stop in a shallow ditch located a distance from the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers on board, though the aircraft sustained damage to its engine, propeller, landing gear, and various panels.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events following touchdown and the environmental conditions present at the time of the incident. The investigation established that the runway surface was damp during the landing.
Findings
- The aircraft departed the runway due to excessive braking during the initial stages of the drift.
- The damp condition of the runway surface contributed to the loss of directional control during the braking application.