What happened
On 4 July 2005, a Beech 58 Baron, registration N80HC, was performing a private flight from Guernsey to Wellcross Farm, West Sussex. The aircraft approached Runway 22 with landing gear and flaps extended, maintaining an indicated airspeed of 80 knots. The aircraft touched down on the short grass strip approximately 35 to 40 metres from the threshold.
Due to an initial upslope on the runway, the pilot did not begin braking until the aircraft had travelled roughly 200 metres along the surface. Upon application of the wheel brakes, the aircraft appeared to accelerate rather than slow down. The pilot attempted to modulate the brakes, but braking effectiveness remained extremely low. Realising a runway excursion was unavoidable and that a go-around was no longer possible, the pilot steered the aircraft toward a wheat field on the right side of the runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft skidded approximately 110 degrees. The aircraft exited the right side of the runway, where the nose landing gear struck a drainage ditch, causing it to collapse. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation examined the runway conditions and the aircraft's landing performance. The airfield at Wellcross Farm featured a grass surface that was 650 metres long and 40 metres wide. A recent thunderstorm had passed over the area, leaving the surface wet with pools of standing water.
Investigators reviewed landing performance data, noting that while the standard landing roll for this aircraft type is 318 metres on a dry, hard surface, the required distance for wet grass on firm soil is approximately 591 metres. While the runway's initial upslope could have assisted in shortening the roll, this benefit was negated because braking was not initiated immediately upon touchdown. The investigation also considered the impact of the standing water, noting that while the exact increase in rollout distance due to flooding is difficult to quantify, it significantly contributed to the loss of control.
Findings
- The aircraft touched down on a short, wet grass runway following recent thunderstorm activity.
- Standing pools of water on the runway surface acted as the primary cause of the accident, leading to poor braking action.
- The delay in applying brakes prevented the pilot from utilizing the runway's natural upslope to assist in deceleration.