What happened
On 1 December 2019, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BODB, was involved in a ground accident at Sherburn in Elmet Airfield. The aircraft was parked near the airfield's fuel pump installation when the pilot, accompanied by one passenger, completed a pre-flight inspection and started the engine.
During the taxi phase, as the pilot executed a right-hand turn, the outboard section of the left wing's leading edge made contact with the fuel pump. The impact caused a small dent to the wing. Following the contact, the pilot immediately stopped the engine to inspect the damage. Believing the dent to be minor and feeling pressure to complete the flight before sunset, the pilot decided to proceed with the mission.
After repositioning the aircraft, the pilot restarted the engine and departed. However, the time taken to assess the damage resulted in a delay, causing the flight to extend into the evening. The aircraft eventually landed approximately 15 to 20 minutes after nightfall.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot. The AAIB examined the sequence of events leading to the contact and the subsequent decision-making process regarding the flight's continuation. The investigation noted that the pilot reported both the wing strike and the fact that the flight had transitioned into night-time operations to the flying club.
Findings
- The physical damage to the G-BODB was limited to a small dent on the left wing leading edge.
- The pilot's decision to continue the flight without a formal inspection of the damage was a significant factor in the event's progression.
- The pilot's desire to avoid disappointing the passenger and the need to finish the flight before dark influenced the decision to depart despite the recent impact.