What happened
On 16 January 2003, a Reims Cessna F172M Skyhawk, registration G-BAZT, was returning to Exeter Airport following a solo navigation exercise. The student pilot performed a standard approach to Runway 26, and the touchdown was observed by Air Traffic Control to be normal. However, during the landing roll, the aircraft suddenly drifted to the left and exited the runway perimeter.
The aircraft traversed an adjacent grass area and proceeded forward until the nose wheel became embedded in mud. This impact caused the propeller to strike the ground, resulting in an engine stall. There were no injuries to the pilot during the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The runway surface was dry, and the wind was light with only a slight crosswind component. A technical inspection of the Reims Cessna F0172M Skyhawk revealed no mechanical defects that could have contributed to the loss of directional control.
The pilot provided information regarding his control inputs during the landing roll. He noted that he typically maintains his feet over the brake portion of the rudder pedals. The pilot suggested that while attempting to maintain the centerline using the rudder, he may have inadvertently applied the left brake.
Following the initial veer, the pilot expressed concern that excessive opposite control might induce a ground loop. Consequently, he chose to allow the aircraft to continue toward the grass. To prevent the nose wheel from digging into the terrain and causing a capsize, the pilot opted not to use the brakes as the aircraft slowed. However, the nose wheel eventually sank into a soft, muddy patch of ground, leading to the propeller strike.
Findings
- The aircraft veered off the runway due to the potential accidental application of the left brake.
- The pilot's decision to avoid braking to prevent a ground loop resulted in the aircraft traveling far enough onto the grass to encounter soft ground.
- The nose wheel sank into mud, causing the propeller to strike the earth.