What happened
On 10 June 2012, a Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat, registration G-PHLY, was performing a private local flight from Netherthorpe Airfield in South Yorkshire. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and one passenger. During the takeoff roll on the grass runway, the pilot attempted to lift the aircraft at a speed of 60 knots. However, the aircraft briefly left the ground before sinking back onto the runway surface.
Despite the application of full wheel brakes, the aircraft could not be stopped within the available runway length. The aircraft overran the end of the runway, struck a hedge, and overturned onto its back. The impact caused extensive damage to both the engine and the airframe. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries, and the pilot was able to assist the passenger out of the aircraft before vacating the airfield.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The flight was operating on a 1.9% uphill gradient, and the aircraft was loaded near its maximum takeoff weight. The weather was reported as having good visibility and broken cloud cover, with a light wind of 5 knots.
Performance calculations performed by the AAIB determined that the Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat was capable of taking off within the available distance, even considering the uphill slope and the weight, provided the takeoff was executed correctly. The investigation also considered the aircraft's flap setting, which was confirmed to be at 10 degrees.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a weight close to its maximum allowable takeoff limit.
- The takeoff was performed on a grass runway with an uphill gradient.
- The accident was primarily caused by incorrect takeoff technique and a delayed decision to abort the takeoff run.