What happened
On 17 June 2007, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-ASVP, was returning to Hinton-in-the-Hedges after performing glider-towing duties. The weather conditions were fine with a light westerly breeze. The aircraft was using Runway 33 for landing on a grass surface.
Following a landing that the pilot initially perceived as normal, the aircraft's tail began to rise as it decelerated. At an estimated speed of 30 mph, the propeller struck the ground, causing the aircraft to pitch backward and come to rest on its roof. The impact caused major damage to the engine propeller and the cockpit area, along with minor damage to one wingtip.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the pitch-over and the subsequent escape of the pilot. Evidence from the gliding club showed two lines of flattened grass where the wheels had braked heavily. The pilot reported that the control stick was positioned mostly back during the landing roll.
Investigators also looked into the difficulty the pilot faced when attempting to exit the aircraft. The cockpit doors, which were of an older design, became jammed against the ground due to the aircraft's inverted position. The pilot required assistance from club members, who lifted a wing to allow a door to be opened.
Furthermore, the investigation assessed the risks posed by the aircraft's equipment. The anti-collision beacon, mounted in the cockpit roof, broke through the roof during the impact. This caused the pilot to sustain lacerations to the head from both the beacon and internal attachment bolts.
Findings
- The inadvertent application of brake pressure combined with the control stick not being held fully back caused the aircraft to pitch over.
- The pilot's recent flying experience was limited, with only two hours of flight time in the preceding 90 days.
- The original door design on G-ASVP lacked an emergency release mechanism, which prevented the pilot from self-extricating.
- The placement of the anti-collision beacon on the cockpit roof compromised the protective living volume of the cockpit and posed a direct injury risk during an impact.