Synopsis
On 19 October 2016, a Piper PA-44-180 Seminole, registration G-BGCO, experienced a serious incident during a touch-and-go landing at Warton Aerodrome, Lancashire. The pilot lost directional control after touchdown, causing the aircraft to depart the runway. The right propeller was subsequently damaged when it struck the ground during an attempt to taxi back to a paved surface. Neither of the two crew members were injured.
History of the Flight
The handling pilot reported an uneventful flight from Cranfield and a base leg join for an approach to Runway 25. The runway surface was dry, with light north-westerly winds. After confirming that the other occupant had his feet clear of the rudder pedals, the pilot touched down on the mainwheels. Immediately following touchdown, the nosewheel came down sharply onto the runway, and the aircraft began diverging to the left. Observers noted a small puff of smoke from beneath the aircraft at touchdown. The pilot struggled to correct the deviation, and the aircraft continued pulling strongly to the left, eventually running onto the adjacent grass at a fast walking pace. To avoid hindering airfield operations, the pilot attempted to taxi the aircraft toward Taxiway C, during which the right propeller struck the ground, damaging one blade tip.
Aircraft Examination
A subsequent examination of the aircraft revealed that the cable operating the emergency landing gear lowering system was in contact with the left brake pedal on the right-hand pilot's rudder pedals. While forward movement of the right rudder pedal in either pilot position would cause both left rudder pedals to move aft normally, aft movement of the left rudder pedal in the right pilot's position would tighten the cable and drive the left brake pedal forward relative to the rudder pedal. This meant that attempts to steer right would inadvertently apply the left brake. The possibility of such interference had been identified years earlier, leading to a manufacturer's service bulletin and an Airworthiness Directive mandating installation of a fitting to positively locate the cable. Examination of G-BGCO confirmed that the fitting had been installed, but it was oriented incorrectly, increasing rather than eliminating the risk of hazardous contact.