History of the Flight
On 18 June 2024, a Piper PA-28-140, registration G-AWBS, departed from Eddsfield Airfield, East Yorkshire, at 1955 UTC. The pilot, aged 50 and holding a Private Pilot's Licence with 1,475 hours total flying experience (16 hours on type), had flown to the airfield to pick up two passengers for a pleasure flight. After parking for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, the aircraft was started again with passengers on board. Power checks were completed adjacent to the Runway 27 threshold, followed by taxi checks as the aircraft taxied along the 725 m grass runway for departure from Runway 09. The wind was 12 kt, gusting 22 kt from 040°, with an air temperature of 15°C and a dew point of 12°C.
The pilot applied full power at the runway threshold while holding the brakes. After releasing the brakes, the aircraft accelerated normally and lifted off approximately three-quarters of the way along the runway. The pilot set the aircraft attitude for a maximum gradient (Vx) climb to clear 80 ft trees at the far end of the airfield. While overhead the trees, the pilot adjusted the attitude to increase speed and gently turned onto a heading of 070°. Simultaneously, he felt the aircraft sink by approximately 10 to 15 ft and it stopped climbing. The pilot then felt the aircraft clipping foliage of the treetops, jolting slightly, and then beginning to descend. He did not recall hearing the stall warner or experiencing any symptoms of a stall. The aircraft banked further left and the pilot directed it through the trees to the only clear space he could see. The aircraft came to rest in the garden and on the driveway of a local residence and was destroyed. After completing emergency shutdown procedures, the pilot and passengers exited the aircraft unaided with minor injuries.
Investigation
The engine was tested with the carburettor by an independent engine maintenance organisation and found to perform normally. Weight and balance calculations were verified, along with takeoff performance calculations, and no anomalies were found.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot expressed the opinion that either a power issue or the gusty wind conditions over the trees were causal factors. While no evidence was found to explain a loss of power, it was noted that there was a possibility of carburettor icing. According to the CAA Safety Sense Leaflet 14 on Piston Engine Icing, the air temperature and dew point at the time indicated the risk of serious icing at any power setting. It is possible that the long taxi along the grass runway, late in the day, resulted in a build-up of ice prior to takeoff. The pilot stated he will give more consideration to gusty wind conditions at low speed and the impact of obstacles such as trees on the wind in the future.