History of the Flight
The pilot, holding a Private Pilot's Licence, planned to fly from Sleap Airfield to Manchester Airport. Runway 05 was in use, and local procedures required taxiing along the intersecting Runway 18, then making a 90-degree right turn toward the threshold of Runway 05. The pilot, unfamiliar with this procedure, followed three other aircraft taxiing down Runway 18. At the southern end of Runway 18, the pilot failed to negotiate the right turn correctly.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft's left wing struck a wooden post that was part of a barbed wire fence located close to the taxiway. The impact caused the aircraft to swerve to the left, resulting in the propeller hitting the barbed wire and the engine stopping abruptly. The damage included a dent in the left wing leading edge, a broken left navigation light, a bent propeller, and an engine that had been shock-loaded.
Pilot Information
The commander was 59 years old and held a Private Pilot's Licence. His total flying experience was 202 hours, of which 47 were on the Piper PA-28-180. In the last 90 days he had flown 3 hours, and in the last 28 days, 1 hour.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-180, registration G-BCCF, manufactured in 1973. It was powered by one Lycoming O-360-A4A piston engine.
Injuries and Occupants
There was one crew member and one passenger on board. No injuries were reported.
Location and Time
The accident occurred at Sleap Airfield, Shropshire, on 4 April 2007 at 1240 hours UTC.