What happened
On 15 February 2013, a student pilot was conducting his first solo flight in a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-AVGI, at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The flight was part of a training session following a dual lesson. During the initial takeoff roll on Runway 27, the student aborted the maneuver because he perceived a reduction in engine power. The instructor, who was monitoring radio transmissions from the flying school, was unaware of the student's concerns and granted permission to backtrack and attempt the takeoff again.
During the second takeoff attempt, the aircraft became airborne but suffered a total loss of engine power at approximately 300 feet. Following established emergency procedures, the student broadcast a mayday and lowered the nose to maintain airspeed. To avoid the approach light gantries and the River Mersey, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft toward the grass within the airfield boundary. The aircraft came to rest roughly 50 metres from the threshold of Runway 09, where the nose landing gear collapsed. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the aborted first takeoff and the subsequent engine failure. The instructor noted that had he been aware the student had experienced power issues during the first roll, he would have cancelled the flight. The investigation also looked into the student's decision-making and the mechanical state of the engine.
Findings
- The student pilot aborted the first takeoff due to a perceived loss of power, but did not communicate this concern to the instructor.
- The engine lost all power during the second takeoff attempt at an altitude of about 300 feet.
- The pilot successfully executed emergency procedures, including a mayday call and maintaining flying speed.
- The aircraft's nose landing gear collapsed upon landing on the grass.
- No specific cause for the engine failure was established during the investigation.