What happened
On 16 June 2000, a Cessna A152, registration G-BHAD, was performing a private flight from Sleap Airfield to Tatenhill Airfield in Staffordshire. During the landing phase on Runway 08, the pilot executed a standard overhead circuit join and a routine approach. The aircraft made contact with the runway approximately one-third of the way along the 700-metre paved surface.
Upon applying the brakes, the aircraft began to veer toward the right. The pilot responded by reducing braking pressure, which successfully corrected the aircraft's track. However, the aircraft failed to stop within the paved area. Before reaching a complete standstill, the aircraft exited the runway surface and struck a ditch and an earth embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Investigators examined the landing performance and the sequence of events leading to the excursion. While the pilot's initial assessment suggested a touchdown point one-third down the runway, eyewitnesses at the airfield observed that the aircraft actually touched down a significant distance further along the runway length.
Data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the Cessuna A152 was reviewed to establish performance benchmarks. Under zero-wind conditions on a dry, level, paved surface at maximum operating weight, the aircraft is capable of a landing ground roll of approximately 152 metres when using full flaps and maximum braking. The performance landing distance from 50 feet is estimated at roughly 378 metres. The investigation focused on why the aircraft's stopping distance exceeded the available paved runway length.