Accident Details
On 19 June 1999 at 1331 hours UTC, a Cessna 172M (registration G-BSCR) departed the end of Runway 18 at Clacton Airfield, Essex, and collided with a hedge. The aircraft was manufactured in 1973 and powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2D piston engine. The flight was a private operation with only the pilot on board. The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 60 years old with 153 total flying hours, including 18 hours on type. In the previous 90 days he had flown 6 hours, and in the previous 28 days, 5 hours.
The grass strip at Clacton has a published length of 610 metres, but a displaced threshold on Runway 18 reduces the landing distance available to 502 metres. A public road runs close to the southern end of the runway, separated by a substantial hedge.
The pilot reported that he was aware of the short runway, having landed at Clacton once before. He departed Stapleford Tawney with full fuel. Weather at Clacton was CAVOK with a westerly wind. He approached Runway 18 from a right-hand circuit with 30° flap on a steep approach. The aircraft crossed the threshold at about 20 feet agl but faster than normal and ballooned in the flare. Touchdown occurred approximately 250 metres from the displaced threshold, after which the pilot applied heavy braking. The aircraft slowed, but with some 120 metres remaining the wheels locked and it skidded on dry grass. It went off the end of the runway at about 40 kt and struck the hedge, which stopped it.
The damage comprised both wings bent rearwards, resulting in an insurance write-off.
Pilot Experience and Previous Incident
This was the pilot's second runway overrun in G-BSCR. On 29 November 1998, the aircraft ran off the end of Runway 23 at Elmsett airfield after a steep, fast approach in a 10 kt crosswind with no headwind component, and a touchdown halfway down the runway. Following that accident, the pilot admitted that he misjudged the aircraft's stopping capability and that he should have gone around from the poorly executed approach. He was offered re-training by a member of the syndicate that owned the aircraft and was taken on a dual flight to Clacton where short field landing techniques were demonstrated.
Aftermath
In the current incident, the pilot admitted making the same mistakes. He stated that firstly, he should have used 40° flap for the approach and secondly, that he should have gone around once he realised that he was landing 'long' on a short runway. He has since received further training on short field landing and braking techniques.