What happened
On 2 August 1998, an Aeronica AC Champion, registration G-JTYE, was performing a private flight from a grass airstrip located at Longwood Farm, Hampshire. The runway was approximately 650 metres long and 20 metres wide, characterized by a downslope along its axis and a significant slope from left to right.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied full power and full aileron to compensate for the runway's slope and a 6-knot crosswind from the left. The aircraft became airborne before reaching its full flying speed. As the aircraft passed a hedge that had previously shielded it from the wind, it began drifting to the right. The aircraft subsequently settled back onto the runway surface. As the right spatted wheel moved into the long, unmown grass at the edge of the strip, the pilot lost sufficient rudder authority to maintain the centerline. The resulting drag caused the aircraft to yaw 30° to the right toward a boundary line of trees. The aircraft struck the base of an oak tree and came to rest inverted after rotating 180°. There were no injuries to the two occupants, who were able to evacuate the aircraft following the impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the runway conditions, the aircraft's performance, and the pilot's actions. Investigators noted the specific topography of the strip, including the axial and lateral slopes. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience and the environmental factors, such as the wind and the transition from the sheltered area behind the hedge to the open crosswind.