What happened
On 5 March 2005, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-BRPL, was conducting a private training flight at Blackpool Airport. The instructor, who had been performing several training sessions throughout the day, decided to terminate the lesson and return to the airfield due to changing weather conditions.
During the approach for landing, the instructor received wind information from Air Traffic Control (ATC) described as "northerly at 21 kt gusting to 38 kt." As the aircraft flared for touchdown, a sudden gust pushed the plane across the runway. The pilot attempted a go-around; however, the left wing made contact with the runway surface. This caused the aircraft to land heavily on its nosewheel, leading to a structural collapse of the gear. The propeller struck the ground, and the aircraft veered to the right before coming to a halt on the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the student passenger.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the weather reports and the pilot's interpretation of the wind data. While the instructor had checked the morning forecasts, the investigation found that the wind direction had shifted significantly. Specifically, the instructor interpreted the term "northerly" as a general direction rather than the precise 360° direction intended by ATC.
Records showed that while the instructor believed the crosswind component was manageable for Runway 31, the actual wind conditions had veered such that the gusts were likely exceeding the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind capability of 17 kt. The investigation also noted that the decision to initiate a go-around, while a prudent safety measure, may have exacerbated the instability due to the yawing effect of applying full power into the wind.
Findings
- The instructor failed to correctly interpret the surface wind information provided by ATC, specifically misconstruing the precise wind direction.
- The aircraft was operated in crosswind conditions that likely exceeded its maximum demonstrated capability.
- The sudden application of power during the go-around maneuver, combined with the wind direction, contributed to the loss of control during the landing phase.