What happened
On 31 July 2007, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II, registration G-BVOA, was performing a private VFR flight from Rochester Airport. During the takeoff roll, the pilot felt vibrations at the front of the aircraft, which he believed originated from the nose landing gear. Because the vibration ceased once the nosewheel lifted, the pilot modulated his braking to avoid a potential nose-over.
As the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 55 kt and began to climb, the stall warning horn activated. Air Traffic Control observed the aircraft's right wing drop, momentarily recover, and then drop again. In response, the pilot lowered the nose and landed back on the grass runway. The heavy vibrations returned during this landing phase, and the aircraft failed to stop before exiting the runway, traveling down an embankment to a position near a public road. The impact caused the right wing to detach and damaged the left wing and forward fuselage. The three occupants sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine and found no evidence of major failure, and the pilot reported no loss of power during the takeoff. An inspection of the nose landing gear by the recovery organization revealed no obvious cause for the reported vibrations.
Reviewing the aircraft's configuration, investigators noted the flaps were set to the 25-degree position, as specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook for takeoff. Weight and balance calculations confirmed the aircraft was within limits and significantly below its maximum takeoff weight.
Findings
- The aircraft's takeoff speed of 55 kt was near the power-off stall speed of 48 kt.
- A change in wind speed or direction immediately after takeoff likely reduced the airspeed of the wing sections outside the propeller slipstream, causing a partial wing stall.
- The pilot's decision to moderate braking to prevent a nose-over likely contributed to the aircraft's inability to stop before the end of the runway.