What happened
On 3 May 2008, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II, registration G-KITE, was conducting a private flight when it overran the runway at Popham Airfield, Hampshire. Following a frequency change from Farnborough Radar to Popham, the pilot attempted a direct approach to Runway 26. This specific approach is offset to avoid flying over a nearby petrol station, which resulted in the aircraft touching down further down the runway than intended.
Upon landing on the damp grass surface, the pilot was unable to decelerate the aircraft sufficiently. The aircraft continued past the runway boundary, crossed an airfield access road, and struck the boundary fence. The impact with the fence was followed by a collision with a large hedge, an event that caused both wings to be torn from the fuselage. The aircraft sustained engine shock-loading and propeller damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances leading to the landing and the environmental conditions at the time. It was established that the pilot had not checked the windsock prior to the approach. The windsock indicated a wind of approximately 9 knots from 150°, which created a tailwind component for the landing on Runway 26. The investigation also noted the pilot's state of fatigue following a two-day tour and the condition of the runway surface.
Findings
- The pilot landed long on the runway due to the offset approach profile.
- The damp grass surface contributed to the inability to stop the aircraft.
- The pilot failed to observe the windsock, which would have revealed the tailwind component.
- The pilot was experiencing fatigue following a two-day tour.
- There were two minor injuries recorded, one for the pilot and one for the passenger.