What happened
On 28 April 2010, a Jodel D117, registration G-AWVB, was conducting a private flight from Enstone to Old Park Farm. During the approach to the north-south oriented grass runway, the pilot monitored local weather conditions, noting steam plumes from the nearby Port Talbot steel works that indicated a south-easterly wind. After announcing a downwind call for Runway 36, the pilot transitioned to base and final legs, maintaining an airspeed between 55 and 60 mph.
Upon performing a three-point landing, the pilot applied braking, initially gently and then more firmly. Despite these efforts, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently while traveling up the significant slope of the runway. The aircraft continued up the incline, eventually striking a barbed wire fence at the end of the strip. It then crossed a lane and collided with a second fence and a hedge. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair, though the pilot escaped with no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the ground marks left by the aircraft's movement. The evidence established that both wheels of the Jodel D117 had locked during the landing roll. This locking occurred regardless of the wind direction. The investigation also noted that while the pilot suspected a brief increase in wind strength might have contributed to a higher groundspeed, the primary issue was the mechanical behavior of the braking system on the grass surface.
Findings
- The aircraft's wheels locked during braking, preventing effective deceleration.
- The locking of the wheels prevented the pilot from stopping the aircraft before the end of the runway.
- The runway at Old Park Farm features a significant slope, which typically requires the aircraft to land uphill and take off downhill.