Accident Overview
On 14 August 1999 at 1614 hours UTC, a privately operated Europa aircraft, registration G-BVGF, sustained severe damage after a takeoff accident at Brunton Airfield, Northumberland. The aircraft was powered by a single Rotax 912-UL piston engine and was manufactured in 1996. The pilot, aged 59, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 463 hours total flying experience, including 206 hours on type. One passenger was on board.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had completed three successful flights earlier that day and lined up on Runway 26 for departure intending to practice circuit flying. Weather conditions featured showers with scattered towering cumulus clouds at 2,000 feet and a westerly wind of 15 kt. A large rain shower was passing one to two miles north of the aerodrome, which the pilot assessed as not affecting his intended flying.
The takeoff proceeded normally until reaching approximately 20 feet above ground level, when a strong wind gust displaced the aircraft sideways to the left of the runway, placing it on a collision course with trees in the central triangle formed by the airfield's three intersecting runways. The pilot judged that climb performance was insufficient to clear the trees and decided to land back on Runway 26. He executed an S-turn to align the aircraft over the runway, but upon touchdown just before the intersection with Runway 02/20, the aircraft bounced and swung to the left. The pilot could not correct the swing in time to prevent crossing the width of Runway 02/20, crashing through the fence on the far side and entering the trees near the apex of the triangle, approximately 20 metres displaced from the left edge of Runway 26.
Aircraft Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained severe damage to the cockpit area, wings, and tailplane, along with cracks in the fuselage and a damaged propeller blade. Despite the severe damage, the pilot and passenger were restrained by four-point harnesses and escaped major injury. The pilot was taken to hospital for treatment of a puncture wound to his chest.
Investigation Findings
After the accident, one of the rudder actuator cables was found to be excessively worn and broken. Had this cable failed before the aircraft crashed through the fence, it would have prevented the application of left rudder. However, cable failure was considered an unlikely explanation for the pilot's handling difficulties.