Accident Overview
On 29 August 2015 at 1230 UTC, a Europa aircraft, registration G-OWWW, was departing from Lydeway Field near Devizes, Wiltshire, on a private flight. The aircraft was under the command of a 68-year-old pilot holding a Private Pilot’s Licence, with a total flying experience of 1,710 hours, of which 1,010 were on type. During the preceding 90 days, he had flown 42 hours, with 13 hours in the last 28 days. The aircraft was manufactured in 2003 (Serial No: PFA 247-12683) and powered by a single Rotax 912ULS piston engine.
Accident Details
During the takeoff roll, at a speed of approximately 40 kt, the aircraft veered to the left. It departed the runway and entered a standing crop of corn about 2 ft high. Despite closing the throttle and applying the brakes, the pilot could not prevent the aircraft from colliding with a hedge located some 15 m from the edge of the runway. The aircraft sustained damage to both wings, the propeller, and the windscreen. Neither the pilot nor the sole passenger reported any injuries.
The pilot stated that he was unsure of the cause of the swing but considered it possible that he experienced a sticking brake or a sudden gust of wind. During the takeoff, which was in a westerly direction, the wind was from the south at 5 kt.