Amisfield Mains Farm
AMISFIELD MAINS FARM: Very temporary private landing ground
IMPORTANT NOTE: The reason for including this location into this 'Guide' is simply because it has the shortest operational history we have come across, (so far). About three hours!!!
Operated by: Mr C A Morrison
Location: Just N of the A1 and A199, and just NE of Haddington village
Period of operation: 20.05.47
SOME BACKGROUND
In May 1947 Mr Morrison acquired the Auster J/1 Autocrat G-AGWZ, and registered it to this address from 22.01.47. However, as it was being worked on at BROUGH, it wasn't until the 20th May that he collected it, together with a pilot friend, to ferry it back to Scotland. We do not know if it was always their intention to land here, or if it was a spur of the moment decision.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
The initial information regarding this event was provided by Mr Graham Frost, another great friend of this 'Guide'. However, I could not figure out exactly which farm near to Haddington, this location actually was. So, I sent a request for help to Mike Holder, knowing that if anybody could trace it, he could. What I most certainly did not expect, and quickly too, was the following:
The accident report was obtained from Aviation Safety Network.
This article was published in the Edinburgh Evening News on the 21st May 1947.
NOTES: From what I have learnt, reading the above, I cannot make any sense of it. The newspaper report states they were both experienced pilots, but this can be very misleading. I have come across pilots who have logged up many hours over many years, but who have no experience of farm strip flying at all. And, often read accident reports where this lack of training and experience has seriously caught them out. The skills and knowledge needed are very different from flying from large licensed aerodromes. I was very fortunate to have been trained about farm strip flying, from farm strips, and there are many 'gotcha's' to be born in mind.
This said, I am astonished at how incredibly unaware of the pitfalls these two pilots were. Especially so as Mr Morrison owned the farm! And yet, had not taken the elementary precaution of getting a landing strip mown. I would have thought that the arresting effect of landing in long grass, should have given them pause for thought? But no, obviously. Taking off in long grass can have the equivalent effect of having the brakes partially applied, at best.
Plus, it appears that take-off flap was not selected. And, as the synoptic chart shows there was little if any wind. Having any headwind component is highly desirable especially for light aircraft operating from short runways. Perhaps they were lulled into a false sense of security, having a great day out in an aircraft renowned for having excellent short field capabilities. We shall never know of course, but one thing does appear certain. They ignored some of the most basic precautions, and paid the price.
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