Synopsis
On 18 July 2015, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee (G-AVZR) was involved in an accident during an instructional flight at North Coates Airfield, Lincolnshire. The aircraft departed the left side of a grass runway during a soft field takeoff, struck a shrub, causing the left wing to detach. The airplane came to rest inverted in an irrigation dyke, partially underwater. One of the two passengers sustained minor injuries; the two crew members were uninjured.
History of the Flight
The instructor reported that the student pilot was training to add a Simple-Single Engined Aircraft (SSEA) Class rating to an existing National Private Pilot’s Licence (Microlights). The instructor had previously demonstrated soft and short field takeoff techniques on the concrete runway at Sturgate, and the student had practiced them there. On the day of the accident, the aircraft flew from Sturgate to North Coates for further training.
The aircraft carried the instructor, the student, and two other occupants. A weight and balance calculation provided by the instructor indicated the aircraft was operating at a weight approximately 150 lb below maximum all up weight, with the center of gravity very close to the forward limit.
The Takeoff
The student started and configured the aircraft using the checklist under instructor supervision. Power checks were normal, and a soft field departure was briefed. The aircraft turned onto the grass runway and full power was applied. Engine performance appeared normal, and the aircraft accelerated along the center of the runway.
After a ground run of approximately 150 to 200 m, the student over-rotated slightly, partially obscuring forward view. The instructor directed the student to ease the control column forward to reset the correct takeoff attitude. At that point, the aircraft had turned left by about 15° and was converging on the left side of the runway. The instructor told the student to steer right.
The instructor stated that the airspeed indicator read 60 mph and he did not take control, expecting the aircraft to become airborne before reaching the runway edge. The aircraft did become airborne, and the student levelled off to accelerate. However, it then descended slightly, and the left wheel contacted tall grass alongside the runway. This caused the aircraft to deviate left and decelerate, resulting in the left wingtip striking a shrub. The wing detached, and the aircraft came to rest inverted in an irrigation dyke. The windscreen was underwater, and tall grass and reeds obstructed view through the side windows.
Post-Accident
The instructor initially had difficulty reaching the fuel pump switch, magneto key, and master switch but eventually managed to set all to off. Escape was facilitated by the North Coates rescue team, who helped remove the window in the main door and assisted the occupants out of the aircraft.
In hindsight, the instructor realized he should have taken control, but he believed the aircraft would easily become airborne and the student would steer right before reaching the runway edge.