Aircraft and Flight Details
On 8 June 2005, a single-engine Jabiru UL-450 (registration G-LEEE) conducted a private flight from a private airstrip in Burton-on-Wirral, Cheshire. The pilot, who held a National Private Pilot's Licence with 636 total flight hours including 30 hours on type, was the sole occupant.
Accident Sequence
The airstrip featured a grass runway oriented east-west, 550 m long and 5 m wide, surrounded by trees to the east, west, and south. The trees near the upwind end of Runway 27 were approximately 24 m high and within 50 m of the runway. The surface wind was assessed at 270°–300° at 6 kt, visibility exceeded 10 km, and few clouds at 3,500 ft. Temperature at nearby Liverpool Airport was +20°C with a dew point of +8°C.
Before takeoff, the pilot performed a power check; carburettor heat and engine indications were normal. During the takeoff roll, acceleration felt normal, but the aircraft lifted off further down the runway than usual at about 50 kt. Subsequently, acceleration and rate of climb 'did not feel right', though engine rpm indicated takeoff power. Concerned about trees ahead, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and land immediately. He reduced power to idle but misjudged the flare, and the aircraft drifted left, touching down on its left main landing gear in long grass beside the runway. The left main gear collapsed as the aircraft ground-looped left; the nose leg detached, the propeller struck the ground, and the aircraft came to rest facing south. The pilot exited through the left door, uninjured.
Pilot Observations
The pilot noted that G-LEEE usually became airborne at about 50 kt after a 150 m roll and felt established in climb by 300 m. He speculated that the surface wind may have dropped, reducing climb rate. He attributed the accident to his concern about performance, misjudgement of the flare, and lack of awareness of left drift.
Aerodrome Characteristics
The grass on the runway had been cut approximately three days prior, with length about 3 inches. Grass beside the runway was about 9 inches long. Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 428, 'Safety Standards at Unlicensed Aerodromes', provides guidance on physical standards for unlicensed aerodromes, recommending minimum runway width of 18 m for runways under 800 m. It also specifies obstacle clearance surfaces with a 1 in 20 slope from the strip end out to 1,600 m. The pilot's decision to land immediately was influenced by the proximity of trees.