What happened
On 17 June 1998, a Pulsar, registration G-BTDR, was performing a private flight from Stapleford Tawney Airfield in Essex. During the takeoff roll, as the aircraft reached the point of rotation, it encountered a length of rubber hose lying on the runway.
The impact with the debris caused the nosewheel and the propeller spinner to be deflected into the path of the propeller. This contact resulted in the total destruction of the wooden propeller. Despite the damage, the aircraft successfully became airborne and the pilot was able to perform a controlled, uneventful forced landing at the far end of the runway.
The investigation
Following the incident, the AAIB examined the damage to the aircraft and the circumstances of the takeoff. The investigation established that the primary cause of the mechanical failure was the physical impact with the rubber hose on the runway surface. The investigation noted that there were no injuries to the pilot and the aircraft sustained damage to the nosewheel spat, spinner, and nose leg attachments, alongside the destroyed propeller.