Flight Details
On 9 August 2003, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee (registration EI-BDR) was operated on a private flight from Prestwick Airport to Kerry Airport. The aircraft, built in 1967, was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4A piston engine. The sole pilot held an Irish Private Pilot's Licence and had 406 hours of flying experience, all on type.
Weather and Diversion
The pilot departed Prestwick at 0830 hrs with a full fuel load, planning to arrive at Kerry at 1130 hrs. Pre-flight weather checks indicated light and variable surface wind, scattered cloud at 1,500 feet amsl, and 7 km visibility in haze. The initial flight at 1,600 feet amsl was uneventful as the pilot followed the coastline south. Crossing the Irish Sea, he encountered reducing visibility and patches of cloud, prompting a descent to 800 feet amsl. As visibility continued to decrease, he altered course to follow the coastline south-east. After being transferred from Belfast to Dublin ATC, he learned that visibility at Dublin Airport was 3,500 metres. Due to deteriorating conditions, he requested and received approval to divert to Gormanston Airfield, north of Dublin. He continued south along the coast at altitudes between 500 and 800 feet.
Landing and Aftermath
While flying past Carlingford Lough, the pilot noticed what appeared to be a small airstrip with a windsock and helipad on the north coast. With visibility worsening, he decided to land and wait for better conditions. He configured full flap and established an approach on a northerly heading, landing 45 metres beyond a perimeter wall. The indicated wind was light and variable. He applied progressive braking, but an upslope caused the aircraft to become airborne again briefly before landing nose gear first. The nose gear collapsed, and the aircraft turned 180° before coming to rest. The pilot switched off all systems and vacated the aircraft, then used his mobile phone to inform ATC of his safe landing. Subsequent measurement showed the aircraft had traveled 140 metres from touchdown to final stop. The apparent airstrip was actually a field adjacent to the helipad; from the air it appeared level, but a small valley existed where the aircraft became airborne and ended where the second touchdown occurred. Damage included a destroyed nose gear, a damaged propeller, and engine shockloading. The pilot was not injured.