What happened
On 5 November 2006, a Grumman AA-5, registration G-BLFW, was conducting a private flight approaching Old Sarum Airfield from the south. The flight originated from Draycott Farm, Swindon. Upon receiving information that Runway 06 was active and noting light, variable winds, the pilot transitioned from a base leg to a final approach. During this phase, the pilot noted an airspeed approximately 10 mph above normal and configured the aircraft with full flaps and reduced power.
The aircraft landed further down the runway than intended. Although the pilot identified the long touchdown, he did not immediately initiate a go-around. Following the landing, the aircraft failed to decelerate as anticipated. The pilot applied full braking, but the aircraft continued toward the airfield boundary. In an attempt to slow the plane, the pilot attempted to steer in a zigzag pattern, though he ceased this maneuver to avoid a potential ground loop.
Ultimately, the aircraft struck a small barbed wire fence at the airfield perimeter and crossed a small access road. The aircraft finally came to a stop against an earth bank. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained a bent nose landing gear, propeller damage, and minor structural harm.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the pilot's decision-making process. It was established that the pilot realized the aircraft was landing long but did not initially believe the overrun would be excessive. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's performance during the braking phase and the pilot's subsequent maneuvers to avoid the boundary.