What happened
On 24 April 1999, a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-FLAV, was conducting a private cross-country flight from Nottingham Airport to Derby Airfield. During the approach to the grass runway 35, the pilot encountered a situation involving trees situated beneath the approach path. To avoid these obstacles, the pilot executed a high approach. This maneuver led to a late touchdown on the runway, which had a landing distance of 540 metres due to a displaced threshold. Following the touchdown, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits and overran the end of the strip. As the pilot attempted to steer the aircraft to the right to avoid obstacles, the plane struck a hedge.
The investigation
The investigation, prompted by the accident report submitted by the pilot, focused on the approach characteristics and the runway environment at Derby Airfield. Investigators noted the presence of trees under the approach path for runway 35 and the specific landing distance constraints caused by the displaced threshold. The weather conditions at the time of the incident were recorded as having a light wind from 300 degrees at 2 knots. The examination of the aircraft revealed minor damage to the engine cowling, the propeller, and the wing tip.
Findings
- The primary cause of the overrun was the high approach adopted by the pilot to clear trees under the approach path, which directly resulted in a late touchdown.
- The available landing distance was limited to 540 metres because of the displaced threshold on the grass runway.
- There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.