What happened
On 6 July 2013, a Pegasus Quik, registration G-CDSA, was performing a private flight involving a landing at Bycross Farm, Herefordshire. The weather was notably warm, with temperatures reaching approximately 25°C. The pilot, landing at the short 300m grass strip for the first time, noted that the windsock indicated light and variable winds.
Upon touchdown at roughly 55 mph, the pilot lowered the nosewheel and began braking. Having used approximately one-third of the runway, the pilot noted that the wheels were locking and the aircraft began skidding in a straight line. Despite repeated attempts to apply the brakes, the aircraft continued to slide at an estimated 15 mph. Realising the aircraft might not stop before the end of the strip, the pilot steered to the right to avoid obstacles, including farm buildings, trees, and a campsite. During this manoeuvre, the aircraft became unbalanced and tipped onto its left wing, coming to a halt 20m from a hedge. The incident resulted in no fatalities, though the passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions and the aircraft's performance. It was noted that the strip had been recently mown, and the surface was covered in cuttings, which likely increased the risk of skidding. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making regarding the landing weight and the available runway length.
Findings
- The pilot underestimated the required stopping distance, particularly given the high landing weight and the warm weather conditions.
- The recent mowing of the strip left grass cuttings on the surface, which may have contributed to the loss of braking effectiveness.
- The pilot was aware of the risk of wheel skidding when braking at high speeds but did not sufficiently account for the reduced friction.
- The pilot did not utilise the emergency technique of pulling the control bar fully back to increase wing drag, which might have reduced the ground roll.