What happened
On 17 May 1998, a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-BRJV, was participating in a private flight from Newcastle Airport to Kirkbride Airfield in Scotland. Following an hour-long stop for a fly-in event, the pilot prepared for the return journey with three passengers on board.
During the taxi phase, the airfield was experiencing heavy traffic. After being cleared to enter the western end of Runway 28 and instructed to backtrack quickly, the pilot executed a tight turn to avoid other aircraft exiting the runway. During this maneuver, the left wing of the aircraft struck a post. The pilot stopped the aircraft at the runway threshold to inspect the impact site.
Upon inspection, the pilot identified a crack in the left wing tip cover and several dents on the leading edge. After verifying that the flight controls remained fully functional and that no panels were loose, the pilot proceeded with the flight. The return leg to Newcastle was completed without any further incidents or abnormal control behavior, and the damage was reported to the pilot's flying club after landing.
The investigation
While the flying club initially sought external engineering assistance for repairs, the incoming engineer refused to clear the aircraft for flight based on the visible external damage. Subsequent detailed examination by a repair agency, following the aircraft's transport to their facility, revealed much more significant structural issues than were initially apparent.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the left wing ribs, the front and rear spar attachments, and the left wing tip cover.
- The pilot's initial assessment of the damage was insufficient to identify the internal structural compromise.
- The investigation noted that previous incidents involving similar aircraft types demonstrated how external surface damage can mask serious underlying structural failures.