Accident Summary
On 2 August 1998 at 1716 hours UTC, an Aeronica AC Champion (registration G-JTYE) operated on a private flight from Longwood Farm, Hampshire. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to airframe components after striking an oak tree and coming to rest inverted.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a single-engine Aeronica AC Champion, equipped with a Continental C85-8F piston engine, originally manufactured in 1946. The pilot, aged 63, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 128 total flying hours, with 35 hours on the accident type. In the preceding 90 days, the pilot logged 11 hours, including 3 hours in the last 28 days. The flight had one crew member (the pilot) and one passenger; both occupants were uninjured.
Accident Details
The aircraft was operating from a grass landing strip oriented 060° magnetic, 650 metres long and 20 metres wide. The runway featured a downslope along its axis and an additional downslope from left to right. The strip surface was well mown but bordered by long, unmown grass. The pilot initiated takeoff with full power and full aileron input to counteract the slope effects and a 6 kt crosswind from the left.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft became airborne before attaining full flying speed. As it passed the end of a hedge that had shielded it from the full crosswind, the aircraft began drifting to the right. It then settled back onto the runway. The right spatted wheel entered the long grass at the edge of the runway, where rudder authority proved insufficient to regain the centre line. The pilot believed he could still complete the takeoff safely, but drag on the right wheel rapidly yawed the aircraft 30° to the right, toward a line of trees on the strip boundary. The aircraft impacted the base of an oak tree and, after turning 180°, came to rest inverted. There was no fire.
Aftermath
Both occupants, who were wearing full safety harnesses, were able to evacuate the aircraft uninjured. The pilot attributed the accident to his lack of familiarity with the strip, combined with the crosswind and runway slopes; he credited the full harness restraint for the occupants' survival.
Probable Cause
The pilot attributed the cause of the accident to his lack of familiarity with the strip combined with the crosswind and runway slopes.