Introduction
On 3 April 2003, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-AZWE, experienced an incident during landing at Wing Farm near Warminster. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and engine.
Flight Details
The aircraft departed Dunkeswell Airfield at 1048 hrs on a private flight to Wing Farm, an airstrip the pilot had previously used. The pilot obtained weather information from Yeovilton, which reported visibility greater than 10 km, no significant cloud, and a surface wind from 010° at 11 kt gusting to 17 kt. Conditions at Wing Farm were similar. Runway 09 was in use, with a 500-meter grass surface that was firm, dry, and with short cut grass.
Landing Incident
The pilot reported a satisfactory approach and landed with two stages of flap selected. After touchdown, the ground speed appeared somewhat fast, and the aircraft deviated to the right of the runway centerline. Despite the application of differential brakes, the aircraft ran into soft ground to the right of the defined landing strip. The nose wheel stopped in a furrow of ploughed earth, causing the aircraft to pitch forward and the propeller to strike the ground.
Pilot's Account
The pilot believes that insufficient differential braking was used to slow the aircraft and maintain the required heading.