History of the Flight
The pilot hired the aircraft from a flying club for the afternoon. Departing Wellesbourne Mountford at 1107 hrs with full fuel, he flew to Shotteswell, a private airstrip, then continued south to Dieppe Airport, France, landing on the second approach. After a stop, he returned northbound, approaching Shotteswell again. He conducted a low approach to Runway 33, the longer runway, executed a go-around, and landed on the second attempt. After taxiing, he positioned at the threshold of Runway 25, a shorter grass strip. At about 1610 hrs, witnesses observed the aircraft attempting takeoff from Runway 25. It rose sharply in a nose-up attitude, banked steeply left, crossed a road, cleared trees, and descended into a field, coming to rest inverted. The pilot was found motionless; attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no fire.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 58, held a Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes) with a Single Engine Piston class rating, revalidated in May 2007. His total flying experience was approximately 200 hours, with 4 hours on the accident type. He had received an instructional flight in G-BMDC one week before the accident, his first flight in that type. He also held a valid JAA Class 2 medical certificate.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-32-301 Saratoga, registration G-BMDC, manufactured in 1980. It was powered by a single 300 hp Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 engine driving a three-bladed constant speed propeller. The aircraft had fixed tricycle landing gear and six seats. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated 3,980 hours, the engine 598 hours, and the propeller 91 hours. The last annual inspection was in November 2006, and the last 50-hour check was on 31 August 2007. Damage rendered the aircraft beyond economic repair.
Meteorological Conditions
The surface wind was estimated from 220° at 15-20 kt, gusting 25-30 kt, with moderate turbulence likely. The wind at 1,000 ft was estimated from 260° at 35 kt. Visibility exceeded 20 km, and cloud base was around 2,200 ft agl. The QNH was 1,007 hPa, and temperature was +18°C.
Airstrip Information
Shotteswell is a private unlicensed airstrip with two grass runways: 15/33 (853 m) and 07/25 (400 m). The flight guide used by the pilot, current at the time, noted that Runway 07/25 was recommended only for microlights, STOL aircraft, and experienced pilots due to parked aircraft and hangars near the threshold, as well as upslope conditions. A performance calculation later indicated insufficient clear distance on the short runway for a successful takeoff.
Accident Sequence
The pilot attempted takeoff from Runway 25. Witnesses saw the aircraft's wheels leave the ground before disappearing behind a hedge. The engine revved high, then stopped. The aircraft cleared the hedge at the upwind end, stalled, and struck trees on the far side of a road adjacent to the airstrip. It crashed into a field beyond. A GPS unit recovered from the aircraft provided data on the flight path.