Accident Details
On 30 March 2008, at 1415 UTC, a privately operated Europa XS, registered G-FIZY, sustained damage during a takeoff accident at White Oxmead, approximately 4 miles southwest of Bath. The aircraft was manufactured in 2007 and powered by a single Rotax 912-UL piston engine. The pilot, the sole occupant, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and was 61 years old with a total of 135 flying hours, including 7 hours on type. He was uninjured and able to exit the aircraft unassisted.
History of the Flight
During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied slight back pressure to the control column as the aircraft accelerated past 50 kt. The aircraft then passed over a series of undulations in the grass runway surface, which caused it to lift off. As the aircraft rotated towards its climbing attitude, the right wing dropped. The pilot applied left aileron to correct the roll, but this resulted in the left wing dropping rapidly and the aircraft turning left. After crossing the left edge of the runway, the aircraft struck a boundary hedge and came to rest on its nose in a field of standing crops, approximately 40 m beyond the hedge.
Meteorological Conditions
The reported weather in the area at the time gave the wind direction as 240° with a wind speed of 5 kt gusting to 15 kt.
Analysis
In view of the undulating nature of the runway surface, it is possible that the aircraft became airborne before reaching its required takeoff speed. In this situation, any decrease in airspeed due to the gusty nature of the wind may have resulted, momentarily, in the right wing becoming partially stalled before responding to the left roll demand.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, left wing, engine, and propeller.