What happened
On 11 December 2013, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BTNV, was conducting a private flight at Manchester Barton Airport. During the approach, the pilot extended the downwind leg to maintain separation from other traffic. Due to hazy visibility, the runway was temporarily obscured during the turn onto the base leg.
As the aircraft approached the airfield, the pilot identified that the aircraft was not on the runway centerline and was above the intended vertical approach path. In an attempt to correct the flight profile, the aircraft's speed increased to approximately 70 kt, exceeding the target landing speed of 60 kt. Although a passenger suggested performing a go-around, the pilot proceeded with the landing.
The aircraft floated above the runway surface during the flare and did not make contact with the ground until roughly halfway down the runway. Despite applying heavy braking, the aircraft failed to stop within the remaining distance, partly due to the damp condition of the grass. The aircraft subsequently overran the runway and entered soft ground, causing the nose landing gear leg, propeller, and left wing to strike the surface.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the flight sequence and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making regarding the approach profile and the impact of surface conditions on braking effectiveness. The investigators also reviewed the pilot's flight path corrections and the aircraft's speed relative to the established landing parameters.