What happened
On 17 August 2015, a Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V, registration OK-OKD, was performing a visual approach to Runway 30 at Newquay Airport. The pilot, who was returning to the UK following a period of familiarisation training in the Czech Republic, reported that the low sun was obstructing his view of the runway.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced several times on the runway. During this sequence, the right engine propeller blades made brief contact with the runway surface. The pilot subsequently initiated a go-around. As the aircraft climbed, it entered a continuous right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft's bank angle increased significantly, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft appeared to stall and enter an incipient spin at an altitude of approximately 100 to 200 feet, impacting the ground near a construction site. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, radar and GPS data, and the aircraft's maintenance history. Analysis of the propeller blades confirmed that the right engine had experienced a brief strike on the runway, but this was not found to have significantly impacted engine thrust.
Data from the pilot's tablet and airport radar showed that the aircraft's groundspeed had dropped to approximately 63 kt during the maneuver. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's configuration, finding the flaps in the stowed position. While the pilot had recently completed ten hours of training on this type, he had primarily been flying single-engine aircraft for several years. The pilot had also noted feeling very tired during the flight.
Findings
- The pilot initiated a go-around following a bounced landing.
- The aircraft was likely flying at a low airspeed during the climbing turn, which increased the stalling speed as the bank angle steepened.
- The pilot may have inadvertently omitted the flap selection during the approach, potentially due to the distraction of the low sun and fatigue.
- The aircraft entered a stall and an incipient spin from which recovery was impossible due to the low altitude.