Loss of control involving Piper PA28-181, VH-RNU, Coolangatta, Queensland, on 26 April 1990

Circumstances:

The student pilot was carrying out a touch-and-go landing on his first solo flight. He stated that soon after touchdown the aircraft swerved to the left of the runway centreline and did not respond to his efforts to correct the situation. The aircraft left the runway and travelled for some distance across the grass verge before demolishing a fibreglass boundary marker. The nose gear then separated as the aircraft came to a halt against the bank of a drainage ditch, approximately a hundred metres from the runway. The pilot stated that the aircraft speed was between 70 and 75 knots at touchdown. He said that as soon as the aircraft had settled onto the runway, he retracted the flaps and was in the process of advancing the throttle for take-off when the aircraft veered to the left. Examination of the tyre marks showed that the aircraft was wheelbarrowing and skidding sideways when it left the runway. The elevator trim was found positioned approximately midway between the neutral and the nose down position.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident

1. The pilot was inexperienced.

2. The pilot mishandled the flying controls and caused the aircraft to wheelbarrow.

3. The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft.