What happened
On 13 July 1999, a Grumman AA-5B, registration G-PORK, was operating a private flight from Southampton to Eaglescott Airfield in Devon. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, had been on the ground for roughly one hour. Due to an approaching weather front from the west, the pilot felt pressured to depart quickly. During the pre-flight process, the passenger performed the external walk-around while the pilot completed internal checks.
During the takeoff roll on the grass runway, the pilot discovered that the airspeed indicator (ASI) was non-functional because the pitot head cover had been left in place. Consequently, the pilot aborted the takeoff, turned downwind, and requested permission to land at his discretion. During the subsequent approach, the pilot estimated a northwest wind of 10 to 15 knots. After an initial low-level go-around due to excessive speed, a second approach was attempted. However, the aircraft remained too fast at the threshold, resulting in a touchdown approximately 150 metres from the end of the runway. The aircraft overran the runway and the available overrun area, sliding down a steep bank.
There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the underside of the wings, a destroyed propeller, and a shock-loaded engine.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot and subsequent telephone inquiries. The investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the pre-flight checks, the pilot's decision-making regarding the inoperative airspeed indicator, and the runway conditions at Eaglescott.