Factual Report
A Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior, registration G-LUSH, was involved in an accident at Meppershall Airfield, Bedfordshire on 14 July 2003 at 1320 hours UTC. The aircraft, manufactured in 1975, was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E3D piston engine. The flight was conducted by a private pilot with a Private Pilot's Licence, aged 59, who had 170 hours of total flying experience, including 33 hours on type. In the preceding 90 days, the pilot had flown 6 hours, with 3 hours in the last 28 days. There were no passengers on board, and the pilot reported no injuries. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was landing at Meppershall Airfield for the first time. He made an approach to grass Runway 02, which has a length of 630 metres. The estimated surface wind was 110°/10 kt. The airfield has no air-ground radio or signal square. On short finals, the pilot realised that Runway 02 has a downslope. He crossed the threshold slightly high at 55 kt with full flap selected. The aircraft floated down the strip, drifting slightly to the right. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied full brakes. The aircraft started to yaw to the right, and despite application of left rudder, the pilot was unable to correct the yaw in time to prevent the right wing from hitting the side of a brick hangar. This impact spun the aircraft to the right, causing the nose to hit a wooden shed before the aircraft came to rest.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported that, with the outside air temperature between 28°C and 30°C, he may have encountered a thermal as he crossed the threshold. He also stated that had he been aware of the runway slope, he would have landed on the reciprocal runway.
Aircraft and Damage
The Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior (G-LUSH) was damaged beyond economic repair as a result of the impact with the hangar and shed.