What happened
On 22 October 2019, a Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Cherokee Arrow III, registration G-DDAY, was performing a series of takeoffs and landings at Nottingham Airport. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, was conducting a 90-day revalidation exercise. The flight had proceeded without issue through the first two landings under favorable weather conditions, with a wind of 230° at 10 kt.
During the third landing attempt, the aircraft touched down on Runway 21 at the threshold. As the pilot transitioned the flaps to the second stage and applied full throttle, the aircraft experienced a loss of directional control. This caused the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway. As the propeller made contact with the rough terrain, the aircraft became airborne.
Following the excursion, the pilot attempted to fly a low downwind leg to return to the airfield. However, the aircraft became increasingly difficult to manage. Once the aircraft crossed the airfield boundary, it became uncontrollable and struck the ground just north of Runway 27. The impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond economic repair.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. The inquiry examined the sequence of events from the initial touchdown on Runway 21 through to the final impact north of Runway 27. The investigation confirmed that both occupants were secured with lap and diagonal harnesses at the time of the accident. The only person to sustain injuries was the passenger, who suffered minor injuries, while the pilot remained uninjured.