Aircraft and Operator Information
The accident involved a Mooney M20K 231, registration D-EKUR, powered by a single Continental TSIO-360-B1 piston engine. The aircraft was manufactured in 1980. The flight was private, with one pilot and three passengers on board. The pilot, aged 65, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated approximately 3,000 total flying hours, including 500 hours on type. His recent flying experience included 20 hours in the last 90 days and 9 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Summary
On 25 July 2008 at 1300 UTC, shortly after becoming airborne from Garston Farm Airstrip in Chippenham, Wiltshire, the aircraft stalled and landed in a field of standing crop. All four occupants were uninjured and able to exit the aircraft without assistance. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the right wing, landing gear, and propeller blades.
Pilot's Account
The pilot candidly noted that he inadvertently reduced engine power below that required for safe flight and did not notice the low power setting in time. He considered that this oversight may have been due to the slightly bumpy runway and his concentration being focused on the takeoff roll.
Additional Observations
Another person who discussed the accident with the pilot reported that the pilot had been concerned with avoiding a propeller strike and was keeping weight off the nosewheel during the takeoff run. This rearward pressure on the controls may have led to the aircraft lifting off earlier than intended. Once airborne at a low speed, the high drag of this configuration would have prevented the aircraft from accelerating and climbing normally, especially if less than full power was applied.