Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident involved a Grumman AA-5 Traveller, registration G-BCLI, powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2G piston engine and manufactured in 1974. The aircraft was being operated on a private flight with the commander holding a Private Pilot's Licence. The pilot was 49 years old with a total flying experience of 174 hours, including 12 hours on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 5 hours, with 1 hour in the last 28 days. There were two passengers on board; no injuries were reported.
Accident Details
On 4 May 2003 at 1405 hours UTC, the aircraft was lined up for takeoff from Runway 26 at Elstree Airfield, Hertfordshire. The wind was reported as 180°/15 kt, creating a crosswind condition. The initial takeoff roll was without incident, and as the airspeed reached 60 kt, the pilot rotated the aircraft. A witness observed that the rotation was greater than normal. The aircraft did not appear to climb, and at about 10 feet above the ground, the right wing dropped and the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot counteracted the roll with left aileron, preventing the right wing from contacting the ground. However, the aircraft landed on its nose some 40 metres from the point of rotation, on an area of grass to the right of the runway. The nose leg then collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the ground, after which the aircraft came to an abrupt stop. The pilot shut down the aircraft, checked that the passengers were unhurt, and then all evacuated the aircraft. The damage included a collapsed nose wheel, propeller damage, and a dent to the left wing.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot assessed that the cause of the accident could have been due to a possible, unexpected wind change at rotation. He also considered that he may have stalled the aircraft during the rotation.