What happened
On 15 April 2015, a Cessna F172H Skyhawk, registration G-AWGD, was conducting a private flight at Keystont Airfield, Cambridgeshire. The pilot had previously arrived at the airfield and performed a low approach and go-around to evaluate the state of the grass runway. Following a successful landing on Runway 02, the pilot decided to depart using the reciprocal Runway 20, intending to use the downslope of the runway to reduce the required ground roll.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 20, the aircraft encountered a ridge on the runway surface, which caused the aircraft to become airborne earlier than intended. While attempting to maintain control, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with a tall hedge. This impact caused the aircraft to spin approximately 180 degrees before coming to a stop. The pilot, who sustained no injuries, successfully shut down the fuel and electrical systems and exited the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the physical conditions of the airfield. The aircraft sustained major damage to its engine cowling, wings, and nose landing gear.
Findings
- The aircraft struck a ridge on the runway, leading to a premature liftoff.
- The pilot was unable to counteract the impact with the hedge despite applying into-wind aileron.
- An unexpected crosswind gust and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific airfield were identified as contributing factors to the accident.