Date:	Tuesday 20 August 2019
Time:	13:55
Type:	Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II
Owner/operator:	Henlow Flying Club
Registration:	G-BSIM
MSN:	28-8690017
Year of manufacture:	1986
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-A4M
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Branscombe Airfield, Sidmouth, Devon -   United Kingdom
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Branscombe Airfield, Sidmouth, Devon
Destination airport:	Henlow RAF Station (EGWE)
Investigating agency:	AAIB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II, G-BSIM 20 August 2019: substantially damaged due to Loss of control during takeoff, Branscombe Airfield, Devon, 20 August 2019. The official AAIB report was published on 9 January 2020, and the following is the summary from that report:

"The pilot had lined up on Runway 28 at Branscombe Airfield for a return flight to his home base at RAF Henlow. The reported wind was from 180º at 9 kt, although a windsock, visible in a moving image recording of the takeoff, indicated that it was gusting considerably higher than this. The maximum demonstrated cross wind for the aircraft is 17 kt.

As the takeoff commenced the pilot’s directional control of the aircraft was not steady, and the nose of the aircraft lifted at low speed. The aircraft then became briefly airborne and ‘weathercocked’ in to the wind and towards the airfield boundary hedge. The pitch angle continued to increase, and the aircraft sank back on to its main wheels and its tail contacted the ground.

The aircraft then became airborne again in a nose-high, low speed condition. The pilot attempted to turn towards the runway and the aircraft 'mushed' on to the boundary hedge. There were no injuries, but the aircraft was substantially damaged."

Damage to airframe: Per the above AAIB report "Substantial" damage sustained by the airframe

1, AAIB Final Report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5dfa45e8e5274a6702004771/Piper_PA-28-181_Cherokee_Archer_II_G-BSIM_01-20.pdf
2. http://www.flyhenlow.com/the-aircraft/
3. https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/registration/G-BSIM
4. https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/7679728
5. https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/
6. https://images.app.goo.gl/m3qGh7jrXk71tUf7A

Other occurrences involving this aircraft

28 October 2014

G-BSIM

Falcon Flying Services (reg owner)

0

Langford, near RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire

sub

Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II G-BSIM nose down at Branscombe Airfield, Devon 20 August 2019 (top right photo)

AAIB January bulletin publishedhttps://t.co/SPhL4ELA1D pic.twitter.com/Yx3U8YgRNY

— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) 9 January 2020

Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II at Gloucestershire Airport, Kemble, Gloucestershire 4 September 2016:

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
17-Jan-2020 16:58	Dr. John Smith	Added
18-Jan-2020 10:57	harro	Updated [Source, Embed code, Accident report, ]
16-Oct-2020 23:15	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Embed code, Accident report]
24-Dec-2021 17:46	harro	Updated [Embed code, Accident report]