Accident
On 24 June 2015 at 1210 UTC, a Grumman AA-5 Traveller, registration G-TALJ, was landing on Runway 27 at Shobdon Aerodrome, Herefordshire. The pilot realised the aircraft was too low and raised the nose while applying power. The engine then spluttered and was slow to respond. As a result, the aircraft landed a few metres short of the tarmac threshold on a disused concrete surface.
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and rear fuselage. Photographs of the damage revealed a scraped ventral strake, indicating an abnormally nose-high attitude, and considerable tip damage to a propeller blade, suggesting the engine was developing substantial power at the time.
Aircraft and Pilot
The aircraft, a Grumman AA-5 Traveller built in 1973 (serial number AA5-0479), was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2G piston engine. The pilot, aged 57, held a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence and had a total flying experience of 155 hours, of which 4 hours were on type. In the 90 days preceding the accident, the pilot had flown 4 hours, with 2 hours in the last 28 days. There were no injuries to the crew (one) or the single passenger.
Investigation
The accident was reported to the AAIB via an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot. The investigation noted the engine splutter and slow response when power was applied, leading to the undershoot. No formal probable cause was assigned in the bulletin.