Accident Details
On 14 March 1999 at 1400 UTC, a privately operated Mooney M20C (registration N7133J) sustained substantial damage while taking off from Cardinham (Bodmin) Airfield in Cornwall. The aircraft was powered by one Lycoming O-360-A1D piston engine and was manufactured in 1965. The pilot, the sole crew member, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 756 total flying hours (152 on type) and had flown 5 hours in the last 90 days and 3 hours in the last 28 days. The two passengers were uninjured.
Pre-Flight and Takeoff
The pilot planned to depart from grass Runway 32, which had an available takeoff run of 610 metres with a slight upslope. The grass surface was damp, the surface wind was reported as 210° at 5 knots, and the aircraft's weight was 96 kg below its Maximum Take-Off Weight. The pilot chose not to use the first 20 metres of the runway, believing it to be unsuitable.
Takeoff and Sequence
Initial acceleration was slow. After lift-off, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient speed for the pilot to begin a climb. The aircraft subsequently contacted a large area of bushes located just beyond the end of the runway, decelerating rapidly before coming to rest.
Performance Calculations
According to the pilot, no takeoff performance calculations were made, as based on past experience he considered there would be adequate runway available.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the propeller and main landing gear.
Injuries
Neither the pilot nor the two passengers sustained any injuries.