Incident Overview
On 6 September 2001 at 1015 UTC, a Piper Aircraft Corporation Piper PA-38-112, registration G-BSOT, was involved in a runway excursion during a solo consolidation flight at Welshpool Airfield. The aircraft, manufactured in 1981, was powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2A engine. The flight was conducted by a 25-year-old student pilot with a total flying experience of 26 hours, of which 22 hours were on type. The pilot had logged 26 hours in the last 90 days, all within the last 28 days.
Flight Details
The pilot was performing a solo circuit consolidation exercise on Runway 04 at Welshpool. The surface wind was reported as 320 degrees at 8 knots. The flight immediately followed a check with a Flying Instructor (FI), which had included visual circuits, a go-around, and an Engine Failure After Take-Off (EFATO) drill. The FI reported that the student had executed three safe landings and was deemed competent to proceed with the solo exercise.
Sequence of Events
According to the student pilot's report, the first circuit and approach were normal until shortly after touchdown, when the aircraft began to deviate to the left. The pilot applied right rudder but was unable to prevent the aircraft from leaving the paved surface. The aircraft then passed through a barbed wire fence and came to a halt on the grass to the left of the runway.
Occupants and Injuries
The aircraft carried a single occupant, the student pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal upper torso restraint. The pilot vacated the aircraft without injury.
Aircraft Damage
The incident resulted in damage to the main landing gear, engine cowling, and both wings.
Investigation
The information for this report was derived from an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot, as documented by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). The investigation did not specify a probable cause.