History of the Flight
The aircraft, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II (G-HAMR), was on a series of cross-country flights from an Elstree-based flying club. It arrived at Oaksey Park, Wiltshire, without problems. For the next leg to Membury Airfield, the pilot conducted a walk-round check and a power check with brakes applied. The takeoff and flight were uneventful. After overflying the airfield, the aircraft joined a right-hand circuit for Runway 05.
Touchdown was normal at about 70 kt. The pilot allowed the aircraft to settle then applied brakes, but felt no retardation. Pressing harder had no effect. The passenger also attempted braking without success. As the runway end approached, the pilot instinctively steered right. The right main landing gear struck a concrete block placed to prevent vehicular traffic from an access road onto the runway. The aircraft swung right, the landing gears tore off, and it came to rest against a wire fence. Both occupants were uninjured, shut off fuel and electrics, and exited unaided.
Investigation
The collision tore off the landing gears and caused significant damage to the underside and propeller, wings, and fuselage. The aircraft was assessed as damaged beyond economic repair. An insurance representative noted the hydraulic reservoir for the braking system was empty, but this was likely due to the right brake line being severed when the right gear struck a block; hydraulic fluid splashes were observed on an adjacent block. Skid marks indicated the wheels were locked at the point the aircraft departed the runway.
Airfield Information
Runway 05 at Membury is asphalt, 650 m long and 8 m wide, lying between an access road to the right and a 30 m wide grass runway to the left. The decision to land on the asphalt runway was made before departure from Oaksey Park. G-HAMR was the last of four aircraft to land; the pilot noted that preceding aircraft had parked on the grass to the left of the runway end.
Discussion
The brake system on this aircraft type has independent left and right calipers, sharing only the fluid reservoir, making dual brake failure unlikely. Skid marks from both main wheels suggested brakes were functioning before the collision. The runway length was adequate, but the narrow width (8 m) may have affected visual perspective, making the runway appear longer. The pilot stated that although the grass area to the left might have been safer, it was occupied by recently arrived aircraft.