History of the Flight
The accident aircraft, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, was operated by a flying club for a private trial lesson. A recently qualified flying instructor was assigned to give the lesson. The chief flying instructor briefed the instructor on the local area and the flight plan, which included routing from Bournemouth to Hengistbury Head, the Isle of Wight, and return. The instructor requested full fuel, contrary to the club's practice of filling only to the tabs, adding about 100 lbs of weight. The instructor booked out with air traffic control, incorrectly stating two persons on board; a video recording later showed the instructor, student, and passenger boarding.
Accident Sequence
At 1126 hrs, the aircraft requested taxi clearance. The windscreen was heavily misted, and the direct vision window was open. After taxiing, the aircraft was cleared to line up on Runway 26 at 1135 hrs. ATC informed of sleet and snow showers nearby. Takeoff clearance was given at 1136 hrs. The aircraft remained stationary for 26 seconds with flaps retracted. Engine power was increased, and the aircraft accelerated normally. After a ground run of 512 meters, it became airborne, initially climbing with a steeper-than-normal nose-up attitude. At about 350 feet, it levelled and began a left turn. Witnesses saw the aircraft descend with increasing left bank, reaching about 45°, before striking the ground with the left wing and nose. The impact was severe, and all three occupants sustained fatal injuries. The rescue and fire services attended promptly.
Aircraft and Investigation Details
The aircraft, built in 1967, had accumulated about 9,500 flying hours. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2A engine. Examination revealed no pre-accident defects in the engine or flight controls. The propeller was rotating at impact but not under high power. The carburettor air heat control was trapped in the cold position, and the throttle was set for maximum power. The stabiliser trim was found at 65% nose-up from neutral; the trim control knob had been missing for an extended period, making trimming more difficult. The airspeed indicator was intact but with a displaced pointer; calibration indicated it would have been accurate. The instrument's dual-scale presentation and its location on the left side made it less visible from the right front seat, where the instructor was seated. The pilot had trained on Piper Warrior aircraft, which have different trim and instrument layouts.
Medical Findings
Post-mortem examinations revealed no evidence of disease, drugs, or substances that could have contributed to the accident.
The investigation did not identify a specific probable cause.