What happened
On 5 February 2018, a Jabiru UL-45 and registration G-JAXS was performing a private flight from Welshpool Airport in Powys. As the pilot applied power to begin the takeoff roll on the asphalt runway, the aircraft began to accelerate. Despite the pilot applying sufficient right rudder to counteract the engine's torque, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left.
The aircraft left the 18-metre-wide runway and traveled approximately 46 metres across an adjacent grass area before striking the airfield's boundary hedge. The impact caused the left strut to buckle, distorted the fuselage attachment plate, and damaged the propeller. The pilot, who was the sole occupant and sustained no injuries, shut off the engine and exited the aircraft through the passenger door because the cockpit door had become obstructed.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's recent flying history. It was noted that the pilot had very limited experience on this specific type, with only two hours of flight time in the Jabiru UL-450 and no flying experience in the 28 days prior to the event.
Regarding the aircraft's maintenance, the left mainwheel inner tube had been replaced two days earlier due to a deflation. While a flight instructor had previously suggested the left brake might be binding, the pilot reported no issues with the wheelbrakes during pre-flight inspections or taxiing. Post-accident analysis of marks left in the grass suggested that the left wheel may not have been rotating as the aircraft left the runway. However, subsequent inspections at a maintenance facility found no apparent defects or binding issues with the braking system.