What happened
On 2 May 2011, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-ATPN, arrived at Norwich Airport following a flight from Southend. During the approach, the pilot elected to use one stage of flap despite initially considering a flapless landing. After landing on Runway 09, the aircraft was taxied to a parking area under the direction of air traffic control and marshalled into position.
Once the engine was shut down, the passenger attempted to exit the aircraft by stepping onto the wing. As she reached for the hand grip and placed her foot on the flap, the control moved downwards under her weight. This caused the passenger to fall to the ground, resulting in one serious injury (a fractured leg) to the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation established that the flaps had not been retracted following the landing. The pilot had completed the 'After Landing' and 'Engine Shutdown' checklists but had failed to verify that the flaps were in the up position. The pilot noted that the landing had been difficult due to 18 kt winds and the unfamiliarity of the airfield, which contributed to a high workload.
Upon inspection, the pilot observed that the flap appeared aligned with the aileron, reinforcing his mistaken belief that the flaps were already fully retracted. The passenger, who had exited the aircraft using this method many times before without incident, was unaware that the flap was unsecured.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to retract the flaps during the post-landing checklist.
- High workload during the landing phase, caused by challenging wind conditions and operating at an unfamiliar airport, distracted the pilot from the checklist.
- A mental bias likely led the pilot to believe the flaps were already up, particularly because he had initially planned a flapless approach.