What happened
On 24 March 2007, a Piper PA-32-3 to 301 Saratoga, registration G-BIWL, was conducting a private flight from Exeter Airport to Scilly Isles Airport. The aircraft was carrying two pilots and two passengers. During the approach to Runway 09, the commander initiated a go-around after the aircraft landed long and bounced slightly on the runway surface.
Following the decision to abort the landing, the aircraft briefly became airborne in a nose-up attitude. However, it failed to climb effectively and the left wing dropped. The aircraft then veered toward the left edge of the runway, departed the paved surface, and slid down a grass slope. The sequence ended when the aircraft impacted a stone wall. While the crew escaped without injury, one passenger sustained serious injuries, specifically a broken and dislocated shoulder, caused by being crushed against the cabin wall during the impact.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the flight history, engine performance, and runway characteristics. The investigation noted that the commander had not previously landed at Scilly Isles and had not calculated the required landing distance prior to departure. Eyewitnesses, including an air traffic controller, observed a high and fast approach followed by a rapid descent.
Investigators also reviewed the airport's specific challenges, noting that the runway is notably hump-backed with significant gradients. The investigation considered whether the engine had failed, but noted that both the crew and witnesses reported the engine sounded normal during the attempted go-around. There was also an investigation into the possibility of simultaneous control inputs between the commander and the co-pilot during the critical moment of the go-around.
Findings
- The landing was marginal, as the touchdown point left insufficient runway for a safe stop.
- The aircraft likely over-rotated during the go-around, leading to a high-drag attitude and a subsequent stall, evidenced by the left wing drop.
- The hump-backed profile of the runway may have created a visual illusion, contributing to a high and fast approach.
- The commander had not calculated the Landing Distance Required (LDR) for the specific conditions at Scilly Isles.