What happened
On 9 July 2021, a Piper PA-28-180, registration G-AVBT, was conducting a trial lesson involving a student and an instructor. Roughly ten minutes after departure, the aircraft's main cabin door began to open while the student was at the controls. The instructor attempted to secure the door several times without success. Due to heavy traffic at the departure airfield, the decision was made to proceed to Mid Wales Airport, Welshpool.
During the straight-in approach, the instructor managed the controls while simultaneously attempting to hold the door closed. As the aircraft reached approximately 150 m from the runway threshold, it experienced a sudden loss of altitude. Despite the immediate application of full power and a pitch-up maneuver, the aircraft continued to descend. The main landing gear struck a hedge located in the undershoot area, causing the gear to detach. The aircraft eventually came to a stop roughly 200 m from the hedge, adjacent to the runway. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller and landing gear.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the sequence of events and the cockpit environment during the approach. The investigation noted that the instructor was focused on managing the unsecured door while monitoring the student's flight path. The investigation also reviewed the Pilot’s Operating Handbook for the aircraft, noting that the specific manual for this model lacked a formal procedure for handling an open door during flight, unlike later versions of similar aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft's descent was precipitated by distraction caused by the unlatched cabin door.
- The instructor was preoccupied with holding the door closed and managing the student's approach.
- The aircraft's landing gear struck a hedge in the undershoot area, leading to the detachment of the gear.
- The crew attempted to recover from the altitude loss using full power, but the descent could not be arrested in time for a safe landing.