Beech A23 Musketeer II, G-ATBI, 5 September 2012

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 5 September 2012
• Aircraft type: Beech A23 Musketeer II
• Location: Fishburn Airfield, Co Durham
• Registration: G-ATBI

Beech A23 Musketeer II, G-ATBI

Summary:

The pilot was taxiing the aircraft toward the threshold of grass Runway 26, prior to an into-wind takeoff. The runway had several distinct gradients and the ground sloped downwards as the aircraft backtracked toward the start of the runway. The grass was wet and the surface wind was from 330° at 12 kt. The aircraft gained excess speed as it taxied downhill and, as the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft to line up on the runway, it skidded to the right and into a hedge, which arrested its motion. The pilot considered that excess taxi speed and his lack of appreciation of how much the braking effect was reduced on the wet grass had caused the accident. He also observed that the grass surface may have been wetter towards the bottom of the slope, where the attempt to turn the aircraft was made.

Download report:

Beech A23 Musketeer II G-ATBI 01-13.pdf (174.02 kb)

Published 10 December 2014