What happened
On 1 March 2014, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-BHEC, was involved in a runway excursion at Stapleford Aerodrome, Essex. The aircraft was being operated on a private flight by a student pilot.
While back-tracking on Runway 22, the pilot observed another aircraft on its final approach to the airfield. In an attempt to vacate the runway before the approaching aircraft was forced to perform a go-around, the pilot increased the taxi speed. As the pilot attempted to turn off the runway, the aircraft could not be slowed down sufficiently. Consequently, the aircraft ran into a hedge located at the end of the runway.
There were no injuries to the pilot. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft, including a shock-loaded propeller, damage to the engine mounting frame, and damage to the nose landing gear, as well as broken skin and bulkheads around the nose area.
The investigation
The investigation, prompted by the accident report submitted by the pilot, established that the pilot's intent was to clear the runway for the arriving traffic. However, the pilot's decision to apply excessive power led to an unmanageable taxi speed. The investigation noted that the combination of this high speed and the downward slope of the runway prevented the pilot from stopping the aircraft before it reached the perimeter hedge.