History of the Flight
The aircraft, a Reims Cessna F177RG (registration G-BFGF), was operating on a private flight on 12 August 2000. The radio had failed, preventing communication on the air/ground frequency. The pilot circled the airfield and made an approach to Runway 21. He executed a go-around and positioned the aircraft for an approach to Runway 30. Although the approach was too high and too fast, the pilot considered the subsequent landing acceptable and believed sufficient runway remained.
The Accident
The grass surface was dry, but the aircraft did not decelerate as expected. The pilot decided to go around and selected the flaps to the up position. However, he realized that the decision to go around had been left too late and opted to remain on the ground. The aircraft overran the runway and came to rest in a ditch. Both occupants were wearing lap and diagonal upper torso restraints. The pilot escaped through his door and assisted the passenger, whose door had jammed and who was trapped by the feet. The passenger was uninjured, and the pilot sustained minor injuries.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 52 years old. He had accumulated 168 total flying hours, of which 20 were on the Cessna F177RG. In the 90 days preceding the accident, he had flown 6 hours; in the last 28 days, he had flown 5 hours.
Additional Factors
The pilot thought that the radio failure may have been a distraction during the approach and landing. He also reported being confused by some bollards at the threshold of the runway to which he had made the first approach.