Accident
On 1 September 2011 at 1114 UTC, a Piper PA-28-151 (Modified) Cherokee Warrior, registration G-BSCY, was involved in an accident at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome, Warwickshire. The aircraft was engaged in a training flight.
Aircraft and Pilot
The aircraft was a 1975 Piper PA-28-151 with a Lycoming O-320-D3G piston engine. The pilot, a 36-year-old student, held a student licence and had 32 hours of flying experience, all on type. His flying in the previous 90 days totalled 32 hours, with 13 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was returning from his first solo navigation flight in fine weather. The wind was 6 kt from the west. He touched down on Runway 18, which he described as "fine and smooth", but the aircraft was to the right of the centreline. The aircraft veered further to the right, and the pilot attempted to correct. However, the aircraft then veered to the left, departing the paved surface and impacting a fence. A wire from the fence contacted the propeller, causing the aircraft to rotate to the right and come to a halt.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal harness, was uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and right wing.
Probable Cause
The pilot considered that his lack of experience in crosswind landings contributed to his loss of control of the aircraft.