What happened
On 25 August 2001, a Piper PA-28-140, registration G-AYMK, was conducting a private flight from Newcastle to Nottingham Airfield. The flight was intended to facilitate the pilot's attendance at a business meeting. Weather conditions at the time were favorable, characterized by CAVOK visibility and light winds, with a surface temperature of +26°C.
Upon arriving at Nottingham, the pilot entered a left-hand visual circuit for Runway 09. During the base leg of the approach, the pilot determined the aircraft was too close to the runway to continue the landing and opted to fly to the 'dead-side' to rejoin the circuit. During the subsequent approach, the aircraft touched down roughly halfway down the runway. As braking was applied, the aircraft immediately drifted toward the right. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the direction using left rudder, the aircraft crossed the right edge of the runway and came to a stop on the grass.
There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft sustained damage to the nose landing gear and tyre scrubbing.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft was inspected by a local maintenance facility. This examination revealed that hydraulic fluid was leaking from the area of the right brake unit. The investigation also considered the environmental conditions and the pilot's decision-making during the approach.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a hydraulic fluid leak from the right brake unit.
- The pilot's approach was deemed incorrect, as the pilot had previously decided to rejoin the circuit due to being too close to the runway.
- Environmental factors, including a hot day, light winds, and a slight downslope on the runway, were noted as contributing elements.