What happened
On 15 October 2011, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N4514X, was performing a touch-and-go landing on Runway 23 at Cambridge Airport. During the landing roll, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of directional control. The aircraft turned sharply to the left, causing it to depart the paved surface and enter the grass area adjacent to the runway.
As the aircraft moved onto the grass, the left wing lifted, leading to a roll. During this excursion, the nosewheel collided with a runway landing light. This impact caused the nose gear to collapse, which subsequently forced the propeller into the ground. The aircraft eventually came to a halt approximately 10 metres from the edge of the runway.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of control, noting that the aircraft was operating in a crosswind from the left, which was recorded at 9 kt and varying between 080° and 190°. The investigation focused on the sequence of the aircraft's movement and the physical impact with the runway lighting.
Findings
- The aircraft departed the paved runway during a touch-and-go maneuver.
- The nosewheel struck a runway landing light, which triggered the collapse of the nose gear.
- The resulting gear collapse led to the propeller striking the ground and the right wingtip making contact with the surface.
- There were no injuries to the pilot during the incident.