What happened
On 6 January 2013, a Skyranger J2.2, registration G-RAFR, was participating in a fly-in at North Coates Airfield. During the return flight to North Moor Airfield, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions, specifically a build-up of cloud. Seeking an alternative, the pilot identified Hollym Airfield as a potential diversion point because the area near the Humber Bridge appeared clear of cloud.
Upon approaching Hollym, the pilot realized the aircraft was too high for the intended approach and initiated a go-around. Following a suggestion from the airfield to use the "cliff-top" runway, the pilot approached what was believed to be the appropriate strip. The pilot landed on Runway 31, just past the threshold. However, upon attempting to decelerate, the pilot found that the brakes were ineffective. Despite attempts to steer the aircraft into the adjacent grass, the aircraft continued down the runway and collided with a fence at the end of the airfield. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the cowlings and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot had misidentified the intended runway. Due to a lack of recent mowing, the markings and layout were difficult to discern, leading the pilot to believe the runway was closer to the cliff edge than it actually was. The investigation also noted that other aircraft diverting to the airfield experienced similar difficulties in identifying the correct runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the overrun was a combination of very wet runway conditions and the misidentification of the runway being used.
- The pilot's decision to use the suggested runway was complicated by poor visibility and the difficulty in distinguishing the runway layout.
- The lack of braking action on the saturated surface prevented the aircraft from stopping before the end of the runway.