Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, G-BNXT, 18 August 2009

Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, G-BNXT

Summary:

The student pilot was flying solo circuits. On base leg she recognised that she was slightly above the circuit height. She recalled selecting carburettor heat, reducing power to approximately 1700 rpm, and selecting two stages of flap. She reported that the aircraft then “did not feel right” and descended more rapidly than she expected. She recalled attempting to apply power, but that the engine did not respond. She transmitted a mayday call, and manoeuvred towards a field with houses close by. She recalled opening the throttle fully, and there being some brief increase in power, but insufficient to slow the descent. The aircraft struck a tree on the edge of a school playing field within the built-up area of Bromley, and then fell through the branches of the tree, coming to rest close to ground level. Carburettor icing was identified as a possible cause of the accident.

Download report:

Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, G-BNXT12-09.pdf (270.70 kb)

Published 10 December 2014