AAIB investigation to Piper PA-46-350P, N3117J

Aircraft departed centreline on take-off hitting an adjacent hedge, Kilkeel (Greencastle) Airfield, County Down, 18 May 2025

The pilot lost sight of the runway centreline on rotation, with the aircraft drifting to the left and the wheels entering long grass next to the mown runway strip. He was unable to recover directional control and the aircraft hit an adjacent hedge and earth bank causing considerable damage. There were no injuries.

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Piper PA-46-350P, N3117J 09-25

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Updates to this page

Published 11 September 2025