Accident Overview
On 5 July 2008 at 1154 UTC, a Cirrus SR22, registration N434A, experienced a runway excursion while landing at Manchester/Barton Aerodrome. The aircraft sustained minor nicks to the propeller and a cracked wheel spat. Both occupants, a pilot and one passenger, vacated the aircraft without injury.
Flight History
The flight departed from its base at Stapleford and proceeded uneventfully toward Barton. Weather conditions were generally good with clear visibility, though significantly reduced in scattered thundery showers. The pilot contacted the Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) at Barton by radio and was advised that Runway 27L was in use. This grass runway was 621 metres long and wet; a heavy shower of rain was passing over the aerodrome at the time.
As the aircraft turned onto the final approach, visibility deteriorated and the wind shifted, resulting in a slight tailwind. The pilot lost sight of the far end of the runway in the poor visibility and touched down in the middle third of the runway. Conscious of the risk of skidding on the very wet surface, he applied light braking. The aircraft continued beyond the runway end into a rough area of long grass.
Post-Accident
The pilot reported that, with the benefit of hindsight, a go-around would have been a safer course of action.