What happened
On 2 February 2013, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BRBA, was conducting circuit practice at Full Sutton Airfield in York. The weather was cold and dry with high visibility, though the grass runway was noted as being very damp. During the flight, the pilot completed three touch-and-go landings before attempting a full-stop landing on his fourth approach.
During the final approach, the aircraft encountered significant turbulence. To counteract sinking and maintain stability, the pilot increased engine power. Upon touchdown, the pilot allowed the aircraft to roll freely to verify directional control before applying braking. Noticing a lack of deceleration and sensing the wheels skidding, the pilot increased braking to a moderate level and attempted to use cadence braking and gentle turns to shed speed. However, the aircraft failed to stop on the available runway surface, eventually overrunning the end of the runway to the left. During the overrun, the nosewheel struck a lip in the ground, causing the oleo to compress and the propeller to strike the surface. The nosewheel leg also twisted sideways.
There were no injuries to the pilot during the event.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance on the damp grass surface and the pilot's decision-making during the approach. The investigation established that the pilot had encountered strong turbulence on both the initial approach (leading to a low go-around) and the final approach. The investigation also looked at the runway conditions and the pilot's use of braking techniques to manage the skid.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and the nosewheel assembly.
- The pilot's focus on managing turbulence and maintaining power during the approach contributed to the difficulty in stopping.
- The primary factor in the overrun was the pilot's decision to continue the landing despite encountering strong turbulence, combined with the damp runway conditions.