Incident Overview
On 10 October 1998 at 1050 UTC, a Jodel DR1050-M, registration G-JODL, experienced a runway excursion while landing at a farm strip in Wharf Farm, Leicestershire. The aircraft was manufactured in 1960 and powered by one Continental O-200-A piston engine. The private flight was conducted with a single pilot and no passengers. The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence with a Night Rating, was 53 years old, and had accumulated 211 hours total flying experience, including 50 hours on type, with 26 hours in the last 90 days and 2 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
The pilot planned to land at a farm strip featuring two runways. He obtained the surface wind from a nearby commercial airfield as 250°/10 kt and intended to use Runway 20, which offered a landing run of 470 yards, instead of the shorter Runway 29. As he approached the strip, the pilot was advised of a surface wind of 290°/07 kt and informed that Runway 29 was in use. However, he did not incorporate this updated information and continued his approach to Runway 20. Sensing an increase in groundspeed during the approach, the pilot elected to land rather than perform a go-around. He subsequently found that he had not anticipated the reduced braking efficiency caused by wet grass, and was unable to stop the aircraft within the available landing distance. The aircraft ran into a hedge at the end of the runway at low speed, resulting in minor damage to the wing fabric and propeller. The pilot reported no injuries.
Probable Cause
The pilot considered that the cause of the incident was his failure to change his plan of action when given an updated surface wind.