A propeller blade ground-strike during take-off caused the accident that nearly killed international jockeys Frankie Dettori and Ray Cochrane on1 June last year, according to the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).
The pilot flying the twin-engined Piper PA-34-220T Seneca died in the accident. During the take-off run from the Newmarket Racecourse grass strip, says the AAIB, a crosswind from the left probably contributed to momentary right bank during which the propeller blades hit the ground.
This destroyed the pitch control mechanism, causing the blades to revert to fine pitch. The pilot continued the take-off - although there was sufficient distance to abandon it - but the aircraft failed to climb and veered right. It then hit a low earth dyke, cartwheeled and burst into flames. There was no evidence of any aircraft or engine fault before the impact.
Source: Flight International
