Accident Overview
On 14 October 1998, a Grumman AA-5 (registration G-BBSA) experienced an incident during takeoff from Runway 27 at Borders (Milfield) Gliding Club in Northumberland. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its nose landing gear and propeller, but neither the pilot nor the passenger was injured.
Flight Details
The private flight was operated by a 53-year-old pilot holding a Private Pilot's Licence, who had accumulated 258 hours of flying experience, with 157 hours on the Grumman AA-5. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 9 hours, with only 1 hour in the last 28 days. The aircraft, manufactured in 1974, was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2G piston engine.
Narrative
The takeoff was conducted on a grass runway with a 15-knot headwind. The initial roll was uneventful until the aircraft reached approximately 45 knots, when it encountered a patch of rough ground, causing it to become airborne prematurely. Believing he lacked sufficient airspeed to continue the climb, the pilot lowered the nose. However, his corrective action was overly enthusiastic, and the nosewheel contacted the runway with considerable force. Suspecting potential damage, the pilot abandoned the takeoff, brought the aircraft to a halt on the runway, and shut down the engine.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft was towed from the runway. A subsequent examination revealed damage to the nose landing gear and propeller. The pilot noted that the rough ground had not been obvious during the preceding landing.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot attributed the incident to the unexpected encounter with a patch of rough ground that had not been apparent upon landing.