What happened
On 28 May 2023, a Beechcraft 19A Musketeer Sport III, registration G-AWTV, was performing general aviation operations at Milltownpass Airstrip in Co. Westmeath, Ireland. After flying from Abbeyshrule Aerodrome, the pilot conducted three low-level circuits to assess wind and obstacles before attempting a fourth landing on Runway 24.
During the landing roll, the aircraft failed to decelerate as expected. Despite the application of brakes, the aircraft drifted toward the right side of the runway. The right wing subsequently struck a hedgerow, and the aircraft continued into a shallow ditch at the edge of the airfield. The impact caused the aircraft to settle in a nose-down position with one propeller blade embedded in the ditch wall. The pilot sustained minor injuries to the nose and eye but was able to exit the aircraft without assistance. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical systems and the pilot's flight parameters. Investigators found that the braking system was fully functional and that the inertia-reel seat belt was operating normally.
Analysis of the flight data and pilot testimony revealed that the pilot had used a visual aid—a black mark on the airspeed indicator—to target an approach speed of 75 knots. However, the manufacturer's recommended touchdown speed for this aircraft is 54 knots. The investigation determined that the pilot's touchdown speed of approximately 70 knots was roughly 30% higher than recommended. While the runway length was sufficient to accommodate the stop if maximum braking had been effective, the high speed significantly increased the required ground roll.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft with limited experience on this specific model, having only 14 hours on type.
- The aircraft touched down at a speed significantly higher than the recommended parameters.
- Landing with excessive speed prevented the aircraft from stopping within the runway limits.
- The wind conditions at the time likely favored a landing on the opposite runway (RWY 06) rather than RWY 24.
- The aircraft's flaps were not retracted during the ground roll, a step which the Pilot's Operating Handbook suggests can increase braking effectiveness.
- The windsock at the airstrip may not have provided an accurate indication of the prevailing wind direction.