What happened
On 31 August 2005, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-AZWE, was attempting a departure from Runway 06 at Netherthorpe Airfield in Nottinghamshire. The aircraft, carrying a pilot and one passenger, was operating at a high weight following a recent refuelling and was subject to high ambient temperatures of 29°C.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft appeared slow to accelerate. As the airspeed reached approximately 60 mph, the pilot attempted to rotate, but the nosewheel remained on the ground. A second rotation attempt at roughly 65-67 mph caused the aircraft to momentarily become airborne before it sank back onto the runway. As the airspeed stagnated, the pilot closed the throttle and the aircraft continued down the runway, eventually crossing the airfield boundary and striking a stone wall approximately 75 m beyond the runway end. The impact caused the aircraft to be destroyed and left both occupants with serious injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft's performance capabilities and the specific conditions at Netherthorpe. The investigation established that while the pilot was aware of the short runway length, he had not verified the specific Take-off Run Available (TORA). The pilot also noted that he was distracted by personal matters, which may have impacted his concentration.
Technical examination of the wreckage showed no significant pre-accident defects in the engine, flight controls, or structure. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's weight and the impact of the 1.9% downhill slope of the runway. It was noted that the pilot had a personal takeoff limit of 500 m, but the actual TORA for Runway 06 was only 476 m. Furthermore, the aircraft's flight manual provided no specific guidance for short-field takeoff techniques using flap settings other than retracted.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the insufficient takeoff run available for the aircraft's weight and environmental conditions.
- The pilot's concentration was likely impaired by personal distractions.
- A lack of awareness regarding the specific TORA for the chosen runway contributed to the error.
- The aircraft was operating at a high weight in high temperatures, which significantly reduced performance margins.
- The pilot relied on a personal takeoff distance limit that was longer than the actual available runway length.