Aircraft and Flight Details
The accident involved a Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe, registration G-BPZE, manufactured in 1946. It was powered by one Continental Motors Corp C85-12F piston engine. The private flight had one pilot and one passenger on board, both sustaining minor injuries. The pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and was 51 years old, with 142 total flying hours, including 60 on type.
Airport Information
Hardwick Airfield is an unlicensed airfield with two runways: a 1,000 m concrete runway (13/31) and a 500 m grass strip (17/35).
Accident Sequence
At approximately 1100 hrs the pilot arrived and assessed conditions. The wind was from 220° at about 5 kt, and he chose to use the grass runway. He completed pre-flight checks and taxied to the threshold of Runway 17. The taxi required little power, confirming his assessment that the grass was firm. The grass was dry but not recently cut.
At the threshold, he turned to face down the runway, completed engine and pre-departure checks, and applied full power for takeoff. Acceleration was normal, and the tail lifted after a short distance. At about three-quarters of the runway length, where he normally expected the aircraft to become airborne, the speed seemed low and the aircraft did not lift off. He steered left where the runway appeared longer. At the very end, the aircraft lifted off, but the wheels struck the tops of standing crop beyond the runway. The aircraft continued into the crop, pitched nose down, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. Both occupants released their harnesses and evacuated unaided.
Post-Accident Observations
After the accident, the pilot noted the windsock showed wind varying between 220° and 320° at about 5 kt. He considered the lower airspeed may have been due to variable wind and a less firm runway surface than judged during taxi. He had used the same runway with similar loading before without takeoff concerns.
The CAA General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet 7B advises that takeoff distance to 50 ft can increase by at least 25% on soft ground. Leaflet 12C contains additional advice on grass strip operations.