Introduction
On 5 April 2007 at 1200 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-BPMR, sustained damage to its left wing after striking a fence at Enstone Aerodrome, Oxfordshire. The aircraft was engaged in a private flight from Gloucester. The pilot, aged 64 and holding a Private Pilot’s Licence, had accumulated 254 flying hours, of which 92 were on type, with 3 hours in the last 90 days and 1 hour in the last 28 days. The sole crew member and two passengers were uninjured.
History of the Flight
The flight from Gloucester to Enstone was uneventful, as was the landing on the asphalt Runway 26. After landing, the pilot needed to backtrack to the parking area. Due to other aircraft operating and an aircraft about to land on the grass Runway 26 to the south, the pilot decided to backtrack beside and to the north of the marked runway area. This placed the aircraft between a six-foot fence line to the pilot’s left and the northern edge of the asphalt runway to the right. The fence, consisting of posts with wire strands, separated a northside grass strip used by a separate maintenance facility.
Accident Sequence
While taxiing, the pilot became distracted by the aircraft landing on the grass Runway 26 to his right. His aircraft then drifted to the left, causing the left wingtip to strike one of the fence posts. The aircraft swung further to the left, bringing the left wing into contact with several additional fence posts before coming to a halt.
Damage
The left wing leading edge was damaged as a result of the fence strikes.
Aftermath
After the aircraft came to a halt, the pilot and passengers exited normally. No injuries were reported.