AAIB investigation to Europa, G-OURO 31 March 2016
Stalled on takeoff at Holmbeck Airfield, Buckinghamshire, 31 March 2016.
Summary:
The pilot of G-OURO was preparing to take off in order to demonstrate the aircraft to a potential buyer. He taxied to grass Runway 29 which is 517 m long, and the wind was reported to be from 350° at 5 kt. He performed the power checks, briefed his passenger and selected half flap before applying full power for takeoff.
The first 50 m of the runway had an upslope but after this the aircraft accelerated normally and the pilot rotated at 50 kt, by which time they were about 400 m down the runway. The aircraft lifted off to a height of approximately 15 ft but then the right wing and nose dropped, causing the aircraft to strike the ground. It slid for about 10 m and slewed to the right before coming to a halt with the nose landing gear collapsed.
The pilot is unsure whether he had set the pitch trim incorrectly or had applied too much rearward movement of the control column.
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