Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registered G-BJUR, manufactured in 1979 (serial number 38-79A0915). It was powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. The pilot, aged 43, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 112 hours of flying experience, all on type. In the 90 days prior to the accident, he had flown 8 hours, with 7 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Sequence
On 6 October 2012 at 1545 UTC, the pilot was flying from his home airfield to Skegness Airfield, Lincolnshire, where he had landed on several previous occasions. The weather was fine with calm conditions. Runway 21, a grass surface 799 m long and 23 m wide, was in use. There had been heavy rain the night before, leaving the surface damp.
After touchdown, the aircraft encountered a bump in the airstrip, causing it to deviate to the left. The pilot regained directional control, but the aircraft had departed the prepared surface and was travelling parallel to the runway in longer, wet grass with a fence line to its left. Considering the surface conditions, the pilot elected to let the aircraft run to a stop rather than attempt braking or a turn back towards the runway. At the end of the fence line, the aircraft’s left wing tip collided with a steel gate post, causing the aircraft to yaw to the left and come to a stop.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained damage to the left wing. The pilot was not injured.