Accident Details
On 23 February 2003, at approximately 1421 UTC, a Beech 36 aircraft (registration N8258F) was involved in an incident at Tregorras Farm, Llangorren. The aircraft, manufactured in 1990 and powered by a single Continental TSIO 520 piston engine, was being operated on a private flight with only the pilot on board. The pilot, holding an FAA Commercial Pilot's Licence and aged 45, had accumulated 700 flying hours, of which 200 were on the Beech 36. His recent flying experience included only one hour in the previous 90 days.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was attempting to practice a short-field takeoff from grass Runway 22, which had an 800-meter length. The runway featured a 4° upslope for the first 400 meters, after which it became level. To minimize takeoff distance, the pilot held full up elevator from the start of the rollout until the nosewheel lifted at 60 knots. The aircraft became airborne and stabilized at 60 knots, with the stall warning horn activated, maintaining a high nose attitude approximately 20 feet above the ground.
In an effort to reduce drag, the pilot raised the landing gear. However, the opening of the landing gear bay doors resulted in an increase in drag. Unable to see the end of the runway due to the aircraft's attitude, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. He selected the landing gear down and reduced power. The aircraft descended and touched down in a nose-high attitude with the landing gear still partially retracted. It then veered off the runway and came to a stop approximately 200 meters from the end. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury.
Pilot's Report
The pilot reported that unusual visual cues from the steeply sloping runway led to a higher nose attitude than normal. The premature raising of the landing gear prevented him from carrying out a normal aborted takeoff.