AAIB investigation to Cirrus SR20, G-GCDC and Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-BLWP

Loss of control during touch-and-go and collision with a stationary aircraft, Swansea Airport, 20 January 2016.

Summary:

During pre-flight checks, the pilot realised that he had inadvertently engaged the autopilot with the corner of his kneeboard. After correcting this, he performed a number of touch-and-go landings. During the final touch-and-go, the aircraft lost control and deviated to the left of the runway, eventually impacting a parked aircraft. The reason for the accident could not be established but is considered likely to be a combination of the gusting wind from the right, a bounced landing and wingtip strike, the effect of applying full power during the touch-and-go and the possibility of inadvertent autopilot engagement.

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Cirrus SR20, G-GCDC and Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-BLWP 09-16

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 8 September 2016