Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Gulfstream AA-5A, registration G-BGCM, built in 1979. It was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-E2G piston engine. The flight was a private operation under the command of a 48-year-old pilot holding a Private Pilot Licence. The pilot had accumulated 181 flying hours, with 93 hours on type and 76 hours in the preceding 90 days.
The flight took place on 2 September 1998, departing at 1400 hours UTC from an airstrip near Locks Garage, Allensmore, Herefordshire. There were two persons on board: the pilot and one passenger. No injuries were reported.
Accident Narrative
The pilot initiated takeoff from Runway 18, which had a hard dry grass surface. Weather conditions were fine, with a surface wind from 200° at 10 knots. The pilot set 10° of flap and applied full engine power while holding the brakes, then released the brakes to commence the take-off roll. The acceleration and lift-off were described as normal.
At an altitude of approximately 10 feet, with airspeed increasing, the aircraft suddenly lost height. This loss of altitude caused the aircraft to strike a hedge located on the airfield boundary. After hitting the hedge, the aircraft continued into the adjacent field before coming to a stop when it ran into tractor tracks. During the final stop, the left main wheel detached from the aircraft.
The pilot was unable to account for the accident but suggested that windshear may have been a contributing factor. However, the official investigation did not establish a definitive cause.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the main landing gear and wings. Neither the pilot nor the passenger suffered any injuries.