What happened
On 17 October 1999, a Cessna F177RG, registration G-BAIS, was attempting a northbound departure from the Gunton Park airstrip in Norfolk. The flight was a private operation involving two crew members and one passenger. The weather conditions were favorable, characterized by good visibility and a light surface wind.
Prior to the flight, the pilot conducted extensive preparations, including consulting experienced pilots and reviewing safety leaflets regarding aircraft performance and airstrip conditions. Based on the aircraft's weight and the 800-metre length of the wet, undulating grass strip, the pilot calculated that takeoff would be completed within approximately five-eighths of the runway length.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft became airborne just past the halfway point of the strip. However, shortly after lift-off, the stall warning horn activated. In response, the pilot lowered the aircraft's nose, which silenced the horn but caused the aircraft to touch down on the runway again. Despite a noticeable reduction in airspeed, the pilot determined there was inadequate distance to abort the takeoff and continued the climb. The aircraft subsequently struck the top of a two-metre-high fence located at the north end of the strip. Following the collision, the pilot closed the throttle and managed to land in an adjacent field, though the left wing struck a tree protector during the deceleration.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's pre-flight calculations, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the cockpit environment. It was established that the pilot's performance calculations regarding the required runway length were accurate. The investigation also looked into the nature of the stall warning system, noting that the warning had recently been modified to broadcast through the aircraft's loudspeaker system to address previous complaints that the original signal was too quiet.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's overreaction to the stall warning horn.
- The loud volume of the modified warning system, which routed through the aircraft loudspeakers, likely contributed to the pilot's sudden reaction of lowering the nose.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to the engine, propeller, fuselage, landing gear, and left wing.
- There were no fatalities and no injuries to the occupants.