What happened
On 5 April 2009, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-UANT, was conducting a training flight at Blackpool Airport. After completing a navigation exercise, the student pilot was instructed by Air Traffic Control to extend the final approach to maintain separation from a departing aircraft. During this subsequent approach, the pilot found the aircraft slightly low and increased engine power to compensate.
The aircraft touched down to the right of the runway numbers. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft back toward the runway centerline; however, the aircraft veered sharply to the left. During this maneuver, the nosewheel entered a ditch, which caused the propeller to strike the ground. The incident resulted in no injuries to the pilot, but the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and the nosewheel fork.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the touchdown and the pilot's subsequent control inputs. The investigation established that the aircraft's groundspeed at the moment of touchdown was higher than normal. This increased speed was attributed to a lack of headwind and the additional power applied by the pilot during the approach.
Findings
- The pilot's touchdown occurred on the right-hand side of the runway.
- The aircraft's groundspeed was greater than usual due to the absence of headwind and the use of increased power.
- The pilot applied excessive rudder pedal input relative to the aircraft's speed while attempting to correct the direction.
- The sudden leftward veer led to the nosewheel entering a ditch and subsequent contact between the propeller and the ground.