What happened
On 10 June 2008, a Cirrus SR20, registration G-TAAA, was performing a private navigation exercise at Denham Airfield, Buckinghamshire. During the return to the airfield, the pilot conducted an approach to Runway 06 using full flaps. The approach was flown at a speed higher than the manufacturer's recommended threshold, with the pilot estimating a speed between 80 and 85 knots rather than the specified 75 knots.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft immediately bounced. The subsequent nosewheel contact resulted in the propeller striking the runway surface. After a second bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure, applying full power while maintaining 100% flaps. During the climb, the pilot retracted the flaps to 0%. However, as the flaps were raised, the aircraft began to sink. The aircraft subsequently struck a group of trees approximately 150 metres beyond the runway end, impacting the ground belly-first. Both occupants sustained minor injuries and were able to exit the aircraft unassisted.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft's flight parameters, the pilot's approach speed, and the aircraft's performance during flap retraction. The investigation included a trial conducted by the operator's Chief Flying Instructor, which demonstrated that while a climb rate of 800 ft/min was achievable with 50% flaps, this rate dropped significantly to 200 ft/min upon retracting the flaps to 0%.
Findings
- The approach speed was higher than the recommended threshold speed, causing the aircraft to float.
- In an attempt to land within the available distance, the pilot lowered the nose, creating a descent rate that triggered the initial bounces.
- The retraction of flaps from 100% to 0% during the go-around caused a significant reduction in the rate of climb, which prevented the aircraft from clearing the obstacles at the end of the runway.