What happened
On 6 August 2005, a Maule M6 Super Rocket, registration N6130X, was performing a private flight returning to its home base from Thruxton. The aircraft was approaching an airstrip located 20 nm southeast of Thruxton. The pilot intended to land on Runway 24, a 350 m strip that slopes slightly downhill in the direction of landing.
During the landing sequence, the pilot executed a normal approach and touchdown. However, the brakes failed to provide sufficient deceleration, causing the aircraft to overshoot the end of the runway. The aircraft exited the airstrip boundary, passing through a hedge and onto a metalled lane. The surface of this lane was approximately three feet lower than the runway level. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the propeller and the left wingtip, and the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the condition of the aircraft's braking system and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The wind at Thruxton was recorded at 280° at 5 kt, with the pilot estimating similar conditions at the landing site. The investigation focused on the surface conditions of the runway and the functionality of the mechanical components.
Findings
- The primary cause of the overrun was the loss of braking effectiveness due to the damp condition of the grass runway, which had been affected by light drizzle earlier in the day.
- There was no evidence of a mechanical failure within the braking system itself.
- The pilot had significant experience in the aircraft type, with over 4,700 total flying hours.