What happened
On 8 September 2008, a Eurostar EV-97, registration G-CERE, was performing a private flight from a 461-metre grass strip located near Newton Peveril, west of Bournemouth. The weather conditions were characterized by a light westerly wind and a dry, flat runway surface.
Following the completion of standard pre-takeoff and power checks, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll into the wind using full power and the first stage of flaps. During the acceleration phase, the aircraft's speed increased more slowly than expected, reaching approximately 100 metres along the strip at a velocity 10 to 15 mph below the required takeoff speed.
As the pilot applied gentle back pressure on the control stick, the aircraft lifted to an altitude of roughly two metres. However, the aircraft subsequently descended and bounced once upon contact with the ground. During this bounce, the left wing struck the grass surface, resulting in damage to the wing structure. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the engine performance, which was found to be operating normally during post-accident ground testing. The pilot could not definitively determine why the acceleration was insufficient, though he noted the possibility that either the pilot or the passenger may have been applying pressure to the brakes during the takeoff run.