What happened
On 6 September 2020, a Piper PA-38-112, registration G-BPPF, was involved in a serious incident during a private flight at Compton Abbas Airfield. After taxiing for departure, the pilot lined up the aircraft for takeoff in a position to the left of the actual runway. As the takeoff roll commenced, the aircraft began to pull toward the left side of the airfield, bringing it close to a row of parked aircraft. The pilot noted that the aircraft's path was positioned to the right of two black cones located near the threshold.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's positioning and mechanical state following the event. It was determined that the pilot had lined up between a threshold marker board and the left-hand chalk line of the runway. The investigation also reviewed the UK Aeronautical Publication (AIP) for Compton Abbas, which details the specific black and white threshold markers used at the airfield. The pilot's experience was noted as 202 total hours, with 57 hours on this specific type.
Findings
- The pilot had incorrectly lined up the aircraft to the left of the active runway.
- The aircraft experienced a binding left brake during the takeoff roll.
- The combination of the incorrect initial alignment and the asymmetric braking caused the aircraft to veer toward parked aircraft.