What happened
On 23 August 2000, a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-BSXB, was engaged in a private solo flight for the purpose of landing practice at Gloucestershire Airport. The student pilot was conducting approaches to the tarmac Runway 04 with a surface wind of 080° at 10 knots.
During the landing phase, the pilot perceived the aircraft was positioned near the right edge of the runway centerline. Upon touchdown, the aircraft drifted further to the right. Realising there was inadequate space to correct the track, the pilot applied the brakes to stop the aircraft in a straight line. This caused the aircraft to exit the runway onto the grass. As the aircraft traversed approximately 20 metres of the grass area, the nose wheel encountered a rabbit hole. This impact caused the nose to dip, leading the propeller to strike the ground, which resulted in a minor nick on one blade. The aircraft eventually came to a halt near the intersection with Runway 36.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report completed by the student pilot and his instructor, supplemented by telephone enquiries. The instructor, who had observed the flight, noted that the student had flown a standard circuit and approach pattern. Following the excursion, the instructor inspected the aircraft for significant damage and subsequently taxied it to a maintenance hangar for a more thorough examination. The investigation noted that the student pilot had since moved abroad, making direct contact impossible.
Findings
- The aircraft's excursion from the runway was driven by the pilot's decision to brake while the aircraft was off the centerline.
- The nose wheel striking a rabbit hole caused the propeller to make contact with the ground.
- The pilot's use of significant right rudder and potential application of the toe brake may have contributed to the initial touchdown characteristics.