What happened
On 19 October 2012, a Vans RV-6, registration G-RVCL, was performing a private flight at a grass airstrip located near Kidlington, Oxfordshire. During the landing phase, the pilot approached the 400-metre-long strip in a north-westerly direction. Although the surface winds were calm, the aircraft touched down further along the runway than intended and at a higher speed than desired.
Due to the damp condition of the grass surface, the pilot was unable to decelerate the aircraft sufficiently before reaching the end of the strip. Consequently, the aircraft overran the runway and entered a ploughed field. During the excursion, the aircraft tipped forward onto its nose before eventually returning to an upright position. The pilot sustained no injuries during the event.
The investigation
The investigation was based on an aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination of the aircraft revealed that the propeller and engine mount had sustained damage, specifically noting that the engine had been subject to a shock-load. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 650 total flying hours, provided context regarding the landing conditions and the aircraft's behavior during the overrun.