What happened
On 24 September 2000, a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-GFTA, was engaged in a training flight at the States of Guernsey Airport, Channel Islands. The aircraft, operated by a student pilot, was performing circuit practice using Runway 27. At the time of the incident, the runway surface was damp, with a surface wind recorded at 17 of 6 knots.
The pilot intended to execute a touch-and-go landing. Following the touchdown, the pilot increased power slightly before the flaps had been retracted. During this phase of the landing, the aircraft began to veer toward the left. In an attempt to correct the deviation, the pilot applied the brakes, which caused the aircraft to skid sideways. The aircraft eventually came to a halt off the side of the runway, resulting in damage to the nose landing gear leg. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing roll and the environmental conditions present. The AAIB examined the pilot's actions regarding power application and flap retraction. The investigation established that the aircraft's movement was influenced by the interaction between engine torque and the prevailing wind conditions.