History of the Flight
On 9 January 2011 at 1100 hrs, the pilot of Pierre Robin DR400/180 Regent, registration G-GLKE, conducted pre-takeoff power checks on Runway 31 at Bodmin Airfield, Cornwall. During the checks, the pilot selected carburettor heat on for several minutes and satisfied himself that no carburettor ice was present. After completing the checks, he taxied to a point just about 50 m from the start of the grass strip, the first part of which had been coned off due to soft ground. The time from completion of power checks to being lined up was between one and two minutes.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft appeared to accelerate normally, and the pilot noted that engine rpm was normal. The rotation point was further down the runway than usual, but the pilot considered this not unexpected since the starting point for the takeoff run was displaced. Although moving faster than the rotation speed of 54 kt, the aircraft struggled to get airborne and required steadily more nose-up elevator input before leaving the ground with a high nose-up pitch attitude. After liftoff, the aircraft failed to accelerate or climb away; instead, it "wallowed," and a wingtip struck the ground. The pilot had difficulty controlling the aircraft, and it hit a hedge at the end of the runway on the airfield perimeter before coming to a stop shortly afterwards.
Damage and Occupants
The aircraft suffered damage to the propeller, front oleo, cowling, leading edge of the left wing, right wing, spats, and both sides of the elevator. The pilot and two passengers, each wearing three-point lap and diagonal harnesses, were uninjured and vacated the aircraft without difficulty.
Meteorological Conditions
The temperature and dew point were 7°C and 2°C respectively, which placed the risk of carburettor icing as 'Serious icing – any power' based on the carburettor icing probability chart in the CAA's Safety Sense Leaflet 14.
Post-Accident Information
No detailed examination of the engine or engine systems was carried out, but the pilot learned that carburettor icing was experienced by other pilots at the airfield that day.