What happened
On 1 November 2005, a Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer, registration G-BTLM, was conducting a private flight at Tattenhill Airfield, Staffordshire. The pilot was accompanied by the aircraft owner, and the purpose of the flight was to inspect the aircraft for a potential purchase. While the pilot had originally intended to use a grass runway to benefit from the superior controllability of the tail-wheeled aircraft, the grass surface was unavailable, necessitating the use of the asphalt Runway 20.
Following some general handling maneuvers to the west of the airfield, the aircraft returned for two successful touch-and-go landings. Although the pilot noted that gusty winds were causing turbulence near the trees to the left of the runway, the initial landings were completed without issue. However, during the final landing attempt, the aircraft touched down firmly on its main wheels and bounced.
Upon the subsequent touchdown, the aircraft veered toward the right. The pilot attempted to correct the movement using rudder inputs and light braking on the left wheel. Despite these efforts, the aircraft continued to track at a 45-degree angle to the right of the runway before looping to the left. The sequence ended with the aircraft tipping onto its right wingtip and coming to a halt on a heading of approximately 130 degrees. The incident resulted in no injuries to the two crew members, though the aircraft sustained damage to the elevator, stern post, and right wing.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of directional control. The pilot provided a candid assessment, noting that the accident was a result of being unable to maintain the aircraft's path during the landing phase. The investigation considered the environmental conditions, specifically the gusty wind, and the operational change from a grass to an asphalt surface. The pilot also noted that the aircraft's low takeoff speed was a factor in his decision-making, suggesting that an immediate go-around upon the initial veer might have prevented the loop.
Findings
- The pilot's unfamiliarity with the aircraft contributed to the difficulty in managing the landing.
- The use of an asphalt runway instead of the intended grass surface affected handling.
- Gusty wind conditions contributed to the instability of the aircraft during touchdown.