Aircraft and Flight Details
A Cessna F172L, registration G-AZTS, manufactured in 1972 and powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2D piston engine, was conducting a private flight from Ashcroft, Cheshire on 25 April 1999. The aircraft was occupied by two crew members and no passengers. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot's Licence and had 956 total flying hours, with 752 hours on type.
Takeoff and Rejected Takeoff
During a pre-departure inspection of the grass runway, the pilot observed that the final portion of the strip was softer than the remainder. He selected a decision point at which he would abandon the takeoff if the aircraft had not become airborne. The takeoff run commenced from a position maximizing available runway distance, with 10° of flap selected and using the soft field takeoff procedure. Upon reaching the decision point, the pilot determined that the airspeed was insufficient and closed the throttle. The aircraft decelerated rapidly, slewed to the right, and came to a stop. It then pitched forward, prompting the pilot to lean the fuel mixture to stop the engine. The aircraft remained balanced on its nose for several seconds before rolling onto its left wingtip and finally settling back onto its main landing gear.
Damage and Occupants
Both occupants, wearing lap and diagonal harnesses, were uninjured and exited the aircraft normally. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the left wingtip and one propeller tip was bent. The pilot considered that the soft ground encountered by the nosewheel during the rejected takeoff was the main factor.