Accident Overview
On 1 May 2011 at 1105 UTC, a Flight Design CTSW aircraft, registration G-CTSW, was involved in an accident during takeoff from a private airstrip in Killeter, Northern Ireland. The aircraft sustained extensive fire damage from a post-accident fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a 2006 Flight Design CTSW powered by a single Rotax 912ULS piston engine. The pilot held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and was 49 years old. His total flying experience was 243 hours, with 155 hours on the CTSW type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 38 hours, and in the last 28 days, 18 hours.
Accident Narrative
The pilot had operated the aircraft from the private airstrip over the preceding two days without incident. On the day of the accident, wind conditions were similar to the previous day, and the same runway was used. The runway consisted of grass approximately four inches long and was damp from overnight dew. The pilot applied full power for takeoff. After lift-off, which occurred slightly further down the strip than on previous days, the aircraft was reluctant to climb and the engine seemed low on power. The pilot felt committed to continuing the takeoff. The aircraft was unable to clear the boundary hedge at the end of the runway. Its main landing gear struck the hedge, causing the aircraft to turn over and come to rest inverted in a field beyond.
Post-Accident
The pilot vacated the aircraft unaided via the left door. He considered that the aircraft may have been affected by a wind rotor triggered by the crest of a ridge slightly upwind of the far end of the runway. The pilot of the next aircraft to depart the field reported encountering a strong rotor just after takeoff.