Accident Summary
On 12 December 1998, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration G-BDSB) was involved in an accident during a private flight from a field near the A338, north of Hungerford, Berkshire. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its rear fuselage, tailplane, and nose landing gear. The sole pilot and one passenger were uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-28-181, serial number 1975, powered by a single Lycoming O-360-A4M piston engine. The pilot held a Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence, was 65 years old, and had accumulated 1,700 flying hours, of which 900 were on type. In the previous 90 days he had flown 56 hours, and in the last 28 days, 14 hours.
Sequence of Events
The pilot initially landed without incident on a grass strip, assessing the ground as firm and suitable for a planned takeoff. He departed the field and returned approximately two hours later. Upon return, he calculated takeoff performance using the aircraft Flight Manual and correction factors from the General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet 7B. The calculations indicated adequate margins for a takeoff from the 1,650-foot (503-metre) strip. The aircraft was configured for a short-field takeoff, and full power was applied at the start of the roll. Acceleration was initially good, and the aircraft reached the pilot's pre-planned acceleration point at 40 knots. However, the speed then failed to increase to the required rotation speed of 43 to 45 knots. As the far end of the strip approached, the pilot rotated the aircraft. It became airborne but was unable to clear a hedge on the field boundary. After going through the hedge, the aircraft landed in the adjacent field, sustaining damage.
Aftermath
Inspecting the surface of the field used in the latter part of the takeoff roll, the pilot found it to be softer than at the start of the roll. He noted that a shower had occurred while he was away from the field, which may have exacerbated the softness.