What happened
On 29 May 2003, a Piper PA-28-1s61 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BNOM, was performing a private flight from Blackbushe to Derby Airfield. The aircraft was attempting to land on Runway 35, a grass strip with a declared landing distance available of 528 metres. The weather conditions were good, though the grass surface was damp with overnight dew.
During the final approach, the pilot maintained a speed of approximately 75 kt, which was noted to be faster than the recommended approach speed. The aircraft touched down between one-third and one-half of the way down the runway at a speed of 60 to 65 kt. Upon applying the brakes, the pilot found that the aircraft was not decelerating as expected. Realising the aircraft would overshoot the runway and strike a nearby hedge and railway embankment, the pilot opted not to attempt a go-around due to the proximity of trees and power cables.
In an effort to protect the passenger, the pilot steered the aircraft 90 degrees to the right to impact the bank with the left wing. The aircraft struck the embankment at approximately 10 kt. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the engine, propeller, left wing, fuselage, and landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's braking system, which was found to be fully functional. Analysis of the propeller blades indicated they were bent forward, suggesting the engine was producing more than idle power at the moment of impact.
Performance calculations were a key focus. While the landing distance required for a dry runway was 492 metres, the application of a safety factor for a wet grass runway increased the required distance to 591.5 metres, which exceeded the available runway length. The investigation also noted that the pilot'1s approach speed was higher than the 63 KIAS recommended by the flight manual for that configuration.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the excessive approach speed combined with a landing touchdown point that was too far down the runway.
- The dampness of the grass surface significantly increased the required landing distance beyond the available runway length.
- The pilot's decision to continue the landing rather than performing a go-around contributed to the outcome.
- The pilot did not enquire about the surface condition of the runway prior to landing.