What happened
On 10 April 2005, at approximately 15:10 UTC, a Piper PA 12, registration EI-CMN, was engaged in a private flight at Birr Airfield, Co. Offaly. The pilot was performing a series of left-hand circuits on Runway 36. After completing a circuit, the pilot backtracked along the runway to repeat the maneuver.
Following the completion of standard pre-take-off checks, the pilot applied throttle to begin the take-off roll. Roughly 20 metres into the run, the aircraft's tail lifted unexpectedly. This movement caused the propeller to make contact with the runway surface. The impact caused the aircraft to come to an immediate halt, leaving the engine cowling resting on the ground with the tail elevated.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the AAIU, examined the circumstances surrounding the sudden change in aircraft attitude. The pilot reported that there were no foreign objects present on the runway at the time of the incident. Furthermore, the investigation confirmed that the aircraft's brakes were functioning correctly and were not sticking. While the pilot noted the occurrence, he could not provide a specific reason for why the tail lifted so early in the acceleration phase.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the engine cowling and a shattered wooden propeller.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.
- The primary issue was the premature lifting of the tail during the initial stages of the take-off run.