What happened
On 2 January 2009, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-AWPS, was conducting a private flight near Little Haywood, Staffordshire. The pilot had prepared the aircraft at Sittles Airfield, moving it to the edge of the landing strip to defrost after a cold night. The flight was intended as an air experience for two passengers.
Shortly after takeoff, witnesses observed the aircraft performing manoeuvres described as wingovers or stall turns. During these manoeuvres, the aircraft entered a steep, high-speed, nose-down descent. The aircraft struck an overhead railway power cable gantry at Colwich Junction, causing significant damage to the gantry and disrupting power cables. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire. The accident resulted in three fatalities (the pilot and two passengers) and was not survivable.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and recovered data from Manchester and Claxont radar recordings. The investigation established that the aircraft's flight path included a right turn just south of Little Haywood before the final descent. Analysis of the wreckage showed that the aircraft struck the gantry in a 'right wing low' attitude.
Examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-existing defects. The propeller showed signs of rotation at the time of impact, and the airspeed indicator was found stuck at approximately 173 mph, which is consistent with a high-speed dive. The investigation also noted that the pilot's medical certificate and private pilot's licence had both expired several years prior to the accident.
Findings
- The accident was caused by a loss of control during an attempted aerobatic manoeuvre.
- The pilot was attempting a manoeuvre, such as a wingover or stall turn, which led to an unrecoverable descent.
- There was no evidence of any mechanical defect contributing to the crash.
- The pilot was flying with an expired medical certificate and an invalid licence.
- Maintenance records for the aircraft were incomplete, and there was no documented evidence that all required maintenance tasks had been correctly performed.