What happened
On 22 June 2016, an Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat, registration G-CHAD, was performing a private flight when it departed the runway at Mitton Farm Airstrip near Penkridge, Staffordshire. The aircraft, powered by a single Rotax 912ULS engine, was on final approach to Runway 10.
Initial touchdown and the start of the landing roll appeared to be routine. However, as the pilot attempted to decelerate by applying the brakes, the aircraft began to skid. This loss of directional control caused the aircraft to veer off the left side of the grass runway and enter an adjacent field of wheat, which was approximately 70 cm in height. The aircraft came to a stop within the crop. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the nose leg, and the fuselage brackets supporting the nose gear.
The investigation
Investigators examined the conditions at Mitton Farm Airstrip at the time of the incident. The wind was recorded at 135° at a speed of 5 to 10 knots. The investigation looked into the surface conditions of the runway and the state of the surrounding vegetation. The pilot, who had previously operated from this airfield, noted that the grass on the runway was significantly longer than usual. Additionally, recent rainfall had left the surface damp. The investigation established that the combination of the long, damp grass and the application of brakes led to the skidding motion that caused the excursion.