Investigation number
199003063
Occurrence date
Location
Coolangatta
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Loss of control
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

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 nosegear 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 takeoff 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.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-28
Registration
VH-RNU
Serial number
28-7890458
Operation type
Flying Training
Departure point
Coolangatta QLD
Departure time
0900
Destination
Coolangatta QLD
Damage
Substantial