What happened
On 22 October 2011, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-ZANG, was attempting a takeoff from Runway 24 at Netherthorpe Airfield. The pilot, who had previously flown from Blackpool earlier that day, was preparing for a return flight. During the takeoff roll, the first stage of flaps was selected. However, due to a headwind component, the aircraft reached a point where the pilot determined there was insufficient runway remaining to safely complete the departure.
Upon deciding to abort the takeoff, the pilot found that the aircraft could not be stopped before exiting the runway. The aircraft crossed a road and collided with bushes located beyond the airfield boundary, eventually coming to rest in a field. The two occupants, the pilot and one passenger, both sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance capabilities and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. While the airfield weather was reported as CAVOK with a temperature of 13°C, the pilot noted that the runway grass was damp.
Analysis of the flight manual performance charts for the Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee indicated that a takeoff distance of approximately 427 metres would be required for a still-air takeoff to a height of 50 feet, assuming a dry surface and flaps retracted. When adjusted for the 1.9% uphill gradient and the specific grass surface, the estimated required distance was approximately 455 metres. The available takeoff run at Netherthorpe was 490 metres. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's weight was not precisely known, though a typical weight of 1,500 lb was used for calculations.
Findings
- The pilot reached a point of no return where the remaining runway was insufficient to continue the takeoff.
- The aircraft failed to stop within the available runway length after the decision to abort was made.
- The collision with bushes was caused by the inability to decelerate the aircraft before the end of the runway.
- Environmental factors, including damp grass, may have contributed to the increased stopping distance.