What happened
During the initial phase of the takeoff roll, the right engine experienced an unexpected surge in performance or operation. This sudden anomaly compromised the pilot's ability to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Unable to counteract the asymmetric thrust or handling characteristics, the aircraft swerved sharply toward the right side of the runway.
The aircraft departed the paved surface and entered a ditch located adjacent to the runway. The impact with the ground caused the left main landing gear to collapse, resulting in significant structural damage to that portion of the airframe. The incident concluded with the aircraft grounded off the active runway environment.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft's systems was conducted to determine the root cause of the engine surge. Investigators focused on the fuel delivery mechanisms for both engines to rule out mechanical failure or contamination issues.
The inspection revealed that the fuel system associated with the right engine contained water. This contamination is a critical factor in aviation safety, as water in fuel can lead to engine flameout, surging, or complete failure, particularly during high-power settings like takeoff.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to this accident was the presence of water within the right engine's fuel system. This contamination directly led to the engine surge, which in turn caused the pilot's loss of directional control and the subsequent runway departure. The collapse of the left main landing gear was a direct result of the off-runway impact.
No other mechanical anomalies or weather-related factors were cited as contributing causes in the available data. The event highlights the critical importance of pre-flight fuel sampling and contamination prevention procedures.