History of the Flight
On 27 March 2009 at 1600 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BPDT, was taxiing for takeoff on Runway 27 at Jersey Airport. After receiving clearance to line up from holding point ‘G’, the pilot moved forward. During the taxi, the left mainwheel left the paved surface and ran onto the grass, which was flush with the concrete. While attempting to return to the taxiway, the wheel sank into the ‘gusset’ between taxiway ‘A1’ and taxiway ‘G’ and became stuck. The pilot applied power to continue moving, causing the aircraft to turn to the left. The aircraft successfully regained the paved surface, but the pilot found it impossible to taxi due to twisting damage to the left main gear.
Aftermath
The pilot shut down the engine and called for assistance from the airport fire service. With their help and that of an engineer from the local maintenance organization, the aircraft was pushed back to the flying club area. Examination revealed that the left mainwheel torque link had broken. The airport authority subsequently filled the area in question with a substantial fillet of sand.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a 1984 Piper PA-28-161 powered by one Lycoming O-320-D3G piston engine. The flight was a training flight with two crew and no passengers. No injuries were reported. The commander held an Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence, was 73 years old, and had accumulated 15,600 flying hours, of which 6,000 were on type. In the previous 90 days, he had logged 40 hours, and in the last 28 days, 20 hours.
Damage
The left main landing gear torque link was broken.