What happened
On 3 March 2001, a Piper PA-28-180, registration G-LFSG, was prepared for a solo flight at Liverpool Airport. The flight was intended to be a 40-minute session to satisfy recency requirements ahead of a skill test. After completing necessary pre-takeoff checks, the student pilot received clearance to line up and wait on Runway 09, with a reported wind of 150/09 kt.
During the initial stages of the takeoff roll, the pilot applied into-wind aileron and set half throttle. As the aircraft reached approximately 30 kt, it began to deviate significantly to the left. The pilot attempted to correct this by applying right rudder, which temporarily straightened the aircraft. However, as the pilot applied full power and the speed reached roughly 40 kt, the aircraft veered left once again. Despite heavy application of the right rudder pedal, the pilot could not maintain the centerline. Recognizing the loss of control, the pilot closed the throttle and applied the toe brakes, causing the aircraft to leave the runway surface and run onto the adjacent grass, where it eventually stopped. There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the circumstances of the departure and spoke with the pilot and club training staff. The investigation focused on the aircraft's behavior during the high-speed portion of the takeoff roll and the pilot's control inputs. The examination established that the pilot's efforts to maintain the runway centerline influenced the aircraft's steering geometry.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to prevent the aircraft from veering by keeping the nose landing gear firmly on the ground.
- By preventing the nose gear from lifting, the pilot inadvertently caused a wheel barrowing effect, where the main landing gear lifted while the nose gear remained in contact with the runway.
- The combination of the crosswind and the specific steering geometry caused the aircraft to deviate sharply to the left, making directional control impossible through rudder input alone.