Accident Overview
On 23 October 2007 at 1310 hours UTC, a Socata TB10 Tobago (registration G-TEDS) was involved in an accident at Bruntingthorpe Airfield, Leicestershire. The aircraft, a four-seat low-wing monoplane with tricycle landing gear, was returning from a local private flight. The pilot, aged 73, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence with 573 total flying hours (165 on type). One passenger was on board.
Flight and Landing
The pilot was conducting an approach to the grass Runway 24 at Bruntingthorpe, an unlicensed airfield with a 3,000 m paved runway and an 800 m grass runway alongside. The wind was light and variable, visibility greater than 5 km with no cloud below 3,000 feet. The runway surface was described as firm but damp. The aircraft approached at about 75 KIAS with full flap. The pilot reported touching down at approximately 70 KIAS, about 200 m beyond the runway threshold. The aircraft did not decelerate at the expected normal rate, so the pilot applied the brakes and initiated a left turn onto a grass turning area to the left side of the runway.
Accident Sequence
As the aircraft slowed, the nosewheel dug into soft ground or a hidden hole in the grass, causing the aircraft to flip upside down. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the inverted aircraft via the main door. The pilot sustained minor injuries; the passenger reported none. The aircraft sustained damage to the nosewheel leg, propeller, engine mount, cabin roof, wingtips, tailplane, and rear fuselage.
Pilot’s Assessment
The pilot believed that the damp grass may have reduced its friction and increased the aircraft’s ground roll. He also noted that he was not familiar with the grass area onto which he turned, as he normally turned off the runway 50 m before the end.