Incident
On 14 May 2001 at 1315 UTC, a Mooney M20J aircraft, registration N909RM, experienced a runway overrun at Thurrock Airfield in Essex. The aircraft was on a private flight with only the pilot on board. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the aircraft suffered extensive general damage.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a 1978 Mooney M20J powered by a Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D piston engine. The pilot, aged 52, held a Private Pilot's Licence and reported 411 hours of total flying experience, of which 547 hours were on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 5 hours, with the same in the last 28 days.
Landing Details
Runway 27 at Thurrock is 650 metres long with a grass surface that was wet. The wind was from 250° at 5 knots. The pilot flew the approach at 80 knots, reducing to 70 knots at the threshold. During the final part of the approach, the aircraft was high, and the pilot increased speed to 80 knots in an attempt to correct. Shortly after touchdown, the pilot applied brakes, but the aircraft hit a bump in the runway and became airborne again. After the subsequent touchdown, brakes were again applied but seemed to have little effect. The aircraft overran the runway and struck the boundary hedge at about 20 knots.
Aftermath
The pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal upper torso restraint, escaped with minor injuries. In hindsight, the pilot considered that he had made an incorrect assessment of the runway remaining and should have gone around at an early stage. He also believed that his unfamiliarity with the airfield, the slippery surface, and the locking of brakes during the last part of the landing roll contributed to the accident.