What happened
On 1 July 2011, a PA32-301FT, registration N116KY, was conducting a private flight from York to the Vallance By-Ways airstrip near Gatwick. After receiving clearance and navigational assistance from Gatwick Tower, the pilot performed three orbits before commencing a westerly approach. During the landing, the aircraft struck the tops of trees located at the end of the approach path.
Upon touchdown, the pilot determined that the aircraft would not stop before the end of the runway. In an attempt to avoid an Avro Shackleton aircraft parked as a museum exhibit, the pilot steered the aircraft to the left. The aircraft yawed left but continued to skid, resulting in the right wing striking a truck and severing the wingtip. The aircraft then spun to the right, coming to a halt with its nose positioned under the engine of a second Shackleton. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the engine, cowling, propeller, and wings.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the discrepancy between the advertised length of the Vallance By-Ways airstrip and its actual dimensions. While the museum's guidebook incorrectly stated the strip was 553 m long, the actual length was only 465 m.
Calculations using the aircraft's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) showed an unfactored landing distance required (LDR) of 527 m. This distance was greater than the actual length of the strip. Furthermore, the investigation noted that standard safety factors recommended by the CAA—a factor of 1.43 for landing distances and an additional 1.15 for dry grass—would have required a landing distance of 867 m, far exceeding the available runway.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to land on a grass strip that was significantly shorter than the published length.
- The actual strip length of 465 m was insufficient for the required landing distance.
- The published length of 553 m was also shorter than the unfactored landing distance required for the aircraft.
- Applying standard safety margins for landing performance would have necessitated a much longer runway than was available.
Safety action
- The museum has updated its website to provide the correct length for the airstrip.