What happened
On 23 October 2007, a Socata TB10 Tobago, registration G-TEDS, was completing a private flight at Bruntingthorpe Airfield in Leicestershire. The aircraft was on final approach to the grass runway 24 under light, variable winds and good visibility. The pilot touched down at approximately 70 KIAS roughly 200 metres past the runway threshold.
Following the landing, the aircraft failed to decelerate at the anticipated rate. In an attempt to slow the aircraft, the pilot applied the brakes and initiated a left turn onto the grass turning area. During this maneuver, the nosewheel encountered either soft ground or a hidden hole, which caused the aircraft to invert. Both the pilot and the passenger successfully exited the overturned aircraft through the main door.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the subsequent ground maneuvers. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained significant damage to the engine mount, propeller, nosewheel leg, cabin roof, wingtips, tailplane, and rear fuselage. The pilot noted that the grass runway surface was damp at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating on a damp grass runway surface.
- The pilot's turn off the runway occurred at a location where he was unfamiliar with the ground conditions.
- The nosewheel digging into soft ground or a hole caused the aircraft to flip.
- The pilot's usual procedure involved turning off the runway 50 metres before the end, rather than at the location where the incident occurred.