What happened
On 21 June 1998, a Piper PA-28-180, registration G-AXMP, was prepared for a private pleasure flight from Stapleford Airport in Essex. The aircraft was carrying a total of four people, including the pilot. Prior to departure, weight and balance assessments confirmed the aircraft was within its operational limits.
During the take-off roll on Runway 22 Left, the pilot utilized full power and 10 degrees of flap. As the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 75 knots, the pilot applied back pressure to rotate the nose wheel. However, due to dissatisfaction with the aircraft's performance and handling, the pilot elected to abort the take-off. By this stage of the roll, the aircraft had transitioned from the asphalt surface onto the grass portion of the runway.
Upon application of the brakes, the aircraft experienced a sudden and uncontrollable veer to the left. This lateral movement caused the aircraft to strike a VASI support pole before finally coming to a halt. There were no injuries to the two crew members or the two passengers, though the aircraft sustained minor damage to the left-hand side panels.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the pilot's decision-making process. At the time of the incident, the ambient temperature was +22°C with a surface wind of 27 of 10 knots. The investigation noted that the runway consisted of 610 metres of asphalt followed by a grass section.
Investigators reviewed the pilot's recent flying history, noting that while the commander held a Private Pilot's Licence, they had accumulated only one hour of flight time in the preceding 90 days and 28 days. The pilot's assessment suggested that the combination of the runway's upward gradient and the high ambient temperature had created a misleading perception of the aircraft's available performance.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to abort the take-off was prompted by perceived issues with handling and performance.
- The aircraft had already moved onto the grass portion of the runway when the braking maneuver was initiated.
- The aircraft veered uncontrollably to the left during braking, leading to the collision with the VASI support pole.
- The pilot's recent lack of flying experience, combined with the effects of temperature and runway gradient, contributed to an inaccurate assessment of the aircraft's performance capabilities.