What happened
On 25 July 2008, a Mooney M20K 231, registration D-EKUR, was performing a private flight from Garston Farm Airstrip in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, it entered a stall and subsequently came to rest in a field containing standing crops. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and three passengers, all of whom escaped the wreckage without injury. The impact caused significant damage to the propeller blades, the landing gear, and the right wing.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the takeoff and the aircraft's performance. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he had been preoccupied with managing the aircraft's weight distribution to avoid a propeller strike, specifically attempting to keep weight off the nosewheel. This focus on the runway surface may have distracted the pilot from monitoring engine performance.
Further enquiries revealed that the pilot had inadvertently reduced the engine power to a level insufficient for safe flight. He noted that the slightly uneven surface of the runway may have contributed to an earlier-than-intended liftoff. Because the engine was set to a low power setting, the aircraft lacked the necessary acceleration and climb capability, particularly given the high drag associated with the takeoff configuration.
Findings
- The pilot's concentration was focused on preventing a propeller strike by managing weight on the nosewheel.
- The pilot inadvertently reduced power below the level required for safe flight.
- The aircraft lifted off earlier than intended due to the bumpy runway surface.
- The low power setting, combined with the high drag of the takeoff configuration, prevented the aircraft from maintaining a safe climb or accelerating effectively.