What happened
On 16 June 2001, a Windlass Aquilla, registration ZU-BIC, was involved in an accident during a private flight operation at a disused airstrip in Hiberdene. The pilot attempted to depart from an unused runway measuring approximately 120 meters in length. As the aircraft began its roll, the pilot applied power, but halfway down the strip, it became apparent that the necessary lift for take-off could not be achieved.
In an attempt to stop the aircraft, the pilot cut the engine power with roughly one-third of the runway remaining. Although the pilot engaged the brakes, the wet grass surface caused the wheels to skid. While the pilot successfully maneuvered the aircraft to avoid a collision with another microlight on the strip, the aircraft continued sliding until it struck a motor vehicle that was parked at the end of the runway. The incident resulted in one injury and no fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the conditions of the departure surface and the pilot's actions during the aborted take-off. Investigators examined the state of the disused runway and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident. The inquiry established that the aircraft was operating on a short, unmaintained strip and that the surface conditions contributed significantly to the loss of braking effectiveness.