What happened
On 21 April 2010, a Cessna 150L Aerobat, registration G-BCFR, was conducting a private flight from Earls Colne Airfield in Essex to Old Buckenham Airfield in Norfolk. During the approach to Old Buckenham, which was an unlicensed airfield at the time, the pilot attempted to contact the airfield to obtain local information. Receiving no response, the pilot performed two circuits to determine the wind conditions, which were found to be variable.
The pilot determined that a gusting tailwind would likely increase the required landing distance. The aircraft landed on Runway 25, a down-sloping asphalt surface with an available distance of 640 m. Following touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes to decelerate the aircraft. However, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits, continuing past the end of the paved surface and through a patch of rough grass before coming to a halt in a nearby field.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board, both of whom were wearing full safety harnesses. The aircraft sustained damage to the nosewheel, propeller, engine frame, and bulkhead.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the runway characteristics at Old Buckenham and the environmental conditions present during the landing. The assessment focused on the impact of the wind direction and the runway gradient on the aircraft's deceleration capabilities.