Summary of the Flight
On 30 July 2006, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration G-ARCC) engaged in a private flight from Popham Airfield, Hampshire. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 90 flight hours (10 on type), was accompanied by three passengers. After refueling to two-thirds capacity, the aircraft began its takeoff run from grass Runway 26. The pilot had selected one stage of flap and considered acceleration normal, with temperatures and pressures in the normal range. As the airspeed reached 50 mph, he applied back pressure and the aircraft became airborne.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot realized the nose attitude was excessively high and airspeed was not increasing as expected. Although aware that lowering the nose was the appropriate action, he was uncertain of his position relative to the runway and feared that lowering the nose might prevent clearing a hedge on the airfield boundary. He therefore maintained the high attitude, intending to lower the nose after passing some neighboring trees. Before reaching that point, the aircraft began to roll and yaw violently to the left.
Witness Observations
Witnesses at the airfield observed the aircraft in a steeply nose-up attitude. One observer, approximately 200 metres from the runway start, saw the aircraft just airborne with its nose high. Another witness, positioned mid-way down the runway, estimated the aircraft at 30 to 40 ft initially, then saw it climb to about 130 ft before sinking 20 to 30 ft and suffering a left wing drop. A third observer, stationed near the runway, noted a steep nose-up attitude, engine noise indicating high power, and no height gain. He saw the wing shudder, the left wing drop, and the nose drop, changing the aircraft's track by 30° to 50° before it struck the ground near the Runway 08 threshold. Engine noise remained constant until impact.
Wreckage and Injuries
Examination of the wreckage site indicated initial impact on the left wing tip and nose, followed by the aircraft somersaulting two or three times before coming to rest inverted, facing the original takeoff direction. Damage included the rear fuselage, wing tips, propeller, and engine. The cabin area was not significantly deformed, allowing the occupants to evacuate quickly. The pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Meteorological information and ground observations indicated an ambient temperature of 20°C or above and little wind. According to the pilot, the aircraft was operating near its maximum takeoff weight. The 900-metre grass strip featured a slight down slope then a gentle up slope, surrounded by trees with a high hedge at the end.