What happened
On 19 September 2024, a Piper PA-28R-2/00 Cherokee Arrow II, registration N747MM, was conducting a cross-country flight from Cumbernauld toward Denham. While on final approach to Runway 11 at Oxenhope Airfield in West Yorkshire, the aircraft encountered a sudden sink. As the aircraft passed near a road and a dry stone wall west of the threshold, the left main landing gear struck the wall.
In response to the destabilised approach, the pilot initiated a go-around and increased power. During this maneuver, a loud metallic sound was heard from the left side, and the left main gear status light extinguished. The crew noted that the aircraft required significant control inputs to maintain flight, specifically heavy right rudder and aileron. Upon inspection, the crew discovered that the left flap had over-travelled upwards and the upper skin of the left wing showed visible deformation.
Due to the aircraft's unstable handling and the damage sustained, the crew decided to divert to Tatenhill Airfield in Staffordshire. During the arrival at Tatenhill, ground observers noted the left landing gear was dangling freely. The crew performed a controlled approach, preparing for a potential forced landing. The aircraft touched down on the right wheel and nose, eventually causing the left wing tip to contact the ground as the aircraft decelerated and slewed 90 degrees off the runway. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was unfamiliar with Oxenhope Airfield, having never approached it before. While the passenger was an experienced pilot at this location, they failed to mention that the airfield's documentation warns of downdraught hazards on Runway 11. The investigation found that the aircraft's descent was caused by a downdraught, which led to the landing gear striking the stone wall.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the impact of the left landing gear with a stone wall caused by a sudden downdraught.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific terrain and approach requirements at Oxenhope contributed to the unstable approach.
- A failure to communicate known local hazards (downdraught risks) by the passenger contributed to the sequence of events.
- The pilot's concentration on maintaining approach speed likely resulted in a loss of situational awareness regarding the changing perspective of the terrain.