What happened
On 24 August 2014, a Falco F8L, registration G-REEC, was conducting a private flight from a grass airstrip near Lewes, East Sussex. The weather was clear with light winds. During the approach to runway 28, the pilot crossed the threshold at a speed of 68 kt. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied moderate braking, but the aircraft failed to decelerate as anticipated.
In response to the lack of deceleration, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure. This involved retracting the flaps to the takeoff position and applying full power. While the aircraft successfully lifted off the ground, it lacked sufficient distance to clear the obstacles at the end of the runway. The aircraft struck a line of medium-sized trees and a ditch located just beyond the upwind end of the strip, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance during the landing and subsequent go-around. The pilot reported that the grass surface was damp at the time of the flight. The investigation looked into the sequence of actions taken by the crew, including the configuration of the flaps and propeller settings during the aborted landing attempt. The physical evidence at the scene, including the impact with the trees and the state of the wooden airframe, was reviewed to understand the energy absorption during the impact.