What happened
On 1 October 2004, a Piper PA-2FRT-201, registration G-OMHC, was involved in a runway excursion at Manchester (Barton) Aerodrome. The pilot had landed at the airfield to pick up a passenger for a return flight to Tatenhill Airfield. Before departing, the pilot performed performance calculations and determined that the aircraft could carry enough fuel for a 4.5-hour endurance.
During the departure, runway 27L was in use, featuring a damp grass surface with a Take-Off Run Available (TORA) of 621 metres. The pilot calculated a required takeoff distance of 370 metres. The takeoff was initiated using full power and two stages of flaps. As the aircraft approached the expected rotation point, the airspeed remained below 60 knots. Fearing the aircraft would not clear tall trees at the end of the takeoff path, the pilot decided to abort the maneuver. Upon closing the throttle and applying maximum braking, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits and overran into long grass, causing damage to the nosegear. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine performance and the pilot's pre-flight planning. The investigation established that the engine was functioning normally and that the pilot's initial performance calculations were accurate according to the available data. The pilot noted that the runway surface might have been wetter than anticipated or that his visual estimation of the obstacle clearance was inaccurate. The pilot maintained that the decision to abort was appropriate given the perceived risk.
Findings
- The aircraft overran the runway after the pilot aborted the takeoff.
- The pilot's performance calculations were correct based on the known runway conditions.
- The pilot's decision to abort the takeoff was influenced by a perceived inability to clear obstacles at the end of the runway.
- Potential factors included a surface that may have been wetter than expected or an incorrect visual assessment of the takeoff path.