What happened
On 26 May 2014, a P&M Aviation Quick GTR, registration G-MABL, was performing a private local flight from Farway Common Airfield in Devon. The aircraft was the final member of a four-microlight formation to depart, and it was the only aircraft in the group carrying a passenger.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 10, the aircraft encountered a heavily waterlogged section of the grass surface. This accumulation of water caused the aircraft to lose speed. As the microlight continued down the runway, it encountered an undulation in the surface, which caused it to become airborne at an insufficient airspeed. Following liftoff, the pilot was unable to counteract a right-hand roll, leading the aircraft to strike the ground and come to rest on its right side. The incident resulted in one minor injury to a passenger, while the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot and information provided by the airfield owner. The investigation examined the runway conditions, noting that while the wind favored Runway 10, the grass surfaces were wet. The investigation also noted that Runway 10 features an uphill slope, gaining roughly 50 feet in elevation along its length.
Findings
- The pilot had previously landed on the airfield's second runway the day before, which possessed superior drainage, and therefore did not fully realize the severity of the surface water on Runway 10.
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of takeoff performance due to the significant amount of surface water encountered on the runway.
- The aircraft became airborne at a speed that was too low to maintain controlled flight.