Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-34-200T, registration G-BRHJ, manufactured in 1979. It was powered by two Continental TSIO-360-EB1 piston engines. The flight was a private pleasure flight with one pilot and four passengers on board. The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and had 11,915 total flying hours, including 550 hours on type. The flight departed from Kemble Airfield, Cirencester, at 1830 hrs UTC on 17 May 1998.
Meteorological and Runway Conditions
Weather conditions were excellent: no significant cloud, visibility greater than 10 km, temperature +18°C, and surface wind from 040° at 10 kt. Runway 09, with a tarmac surface, was in use.
Incident Sequence
Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 100 feet, the baggage door—located on the left side of the aircraft nose—opened. The pilot elected to complete a teardrop turn to land on Runway 27, despite a tailwind. Runway 27 had an available landing distance of 2,039 metres. After climbing to 400 feet and completing the turn, the pilot shut down the left engine. At that point, the aircraft was still about 30° off the runway heading with a high ground speed. The pilot interpreted this as a high approach speed and allowed the airspeed to reduce. At a height estimated between 50 and 20 feet, the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot immediately increased power on the right engine and applied full right rudder. The rudder application was excessive, and the aircraft touched down heavily with the nose still yawing to the right. The undercarriage collapsed on touchdown, and the aircraft slid across the runway, coming to a halt on the grass after causing substantial damage to the airframe.
Outcome
The pilot and passengers vacated the aircraft uninjured and without assistance. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
Investigation
The information was sourced from an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot. The AAIB Bulletin reference is EW/G98/05/16, Category 1.3.