What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration G-IRLS, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to follow short-field landing procedures and the late decision to initiate a go-around, compounded by a lack of experience operating on grass runways.

Late Go-Around Leads to Aircraft Crash at Kilrush Airfield

A Cessna 172 crashed into a boundary hedge and subsequent obstacles after a late go-around attempt during a landing at a grass airfield.

What happened

On April 6, 1997, a Cessna 172 J Reims Rocket, registration G-IRLS, was performing a private flight at Kilrush Airfield in County Kildare. During the landing phase on Runway 29, the pilot executed a late go-around after determining that the aircraft could not stop before the airfield's boundary hedge.

Shortly after the pilot applied full power to climb, the aircraft's undercarriage struck a 1.5-meter-high hedge. The impact caused the nose to dip, leading the aircraft to strike the ground heavily in an adjacent field. The aircraft then bounced twice and struck a second hedge, where the starboard wing hit a tree stump. The aircraft eventually came to rest in a ditch across from the N78 road. Both occupants sustained minor injuries, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage, including collapsed landing gear and a ruptured fuel tank.

The investigation

The investigation examined the pilot's landing technique, the aircraft's mechanical condition, and the airfield's surface properties. Investigators found that while the pilot was properly licensed and rested, he had very limited experience operating on short, grass runways.

Technical inspections of the braking system confirmed that the brakes were fully functional and capable of stopping the aircraft. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's flight manual, which provides specific instructions for short-field operations. Furthermore, the investigators analyzed the sequence of events regarding the pilot's decision to abort the landing and the timing of the braking application.

Findings

Several factors contributed to the accident:

The pilot did not utilize the recommended 40° flap setting for short-field landings, instead using 25°.
The landing was performed at a high speed, involving a firm touchdown and a subsequent bounce that caused the aircraft to float.
The pilot failed to apply heavy braking during the landing roll, opting for gentle braking due to an unfounded fear of skidding on the grass.
The decision to initiate a go-around was made too late, with only approximately 100 meters remaining before the boundary hedge.
The pilot's lack of experience with short, grass-surface airstrips prevented the execution of appropriate landing techniques.