What happened
On 19 January 2014, a Pierre Robin DR400/180 Regent, registration G-JMTS, was performing a private flight departing from Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex. During the takeoff roll on the wet grass runway, the aircraft experienced a slow initial acceleration. The aircraft became airborne after approximately 450 metres of runway use.
As the aircraft cleared a line of trees at the runway's edge, it suffered a sudden, uncommanded roll to the left. In an attempt to recover the aircraft, the pilot initiated a correction that resulted in a roll to the right. This maneuver led to a loss of lift, causing the aircraft to strike the ground. The aircraft proceeded across the overshoot area and into a ploughed field. During the excursion, the nose landing gear collapsed and the right wing made contact with the ground. The impact caused the engine to detach from the fuselage. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. It was noted that the aircraft was operating near its maximum takeoff weight, though still within legal limits. The aircraft was equipped with aerodynamic spats and a coarse pitch propeller. The investigators also reviewed the runway conditions, which were described as wet, and the impact of nearby obstacles on the local wind patterns.