Accident Overview
On February 10, 2012, at 0829 central standard time, a Socata TBM 700 airplane, registration N850LM, collided with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisconsin. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane, registered to Precision Aviation LLC and operated by a private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 for a personal flight, sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Fort Myers, Florida.
Pilot's Account and Previous Flight
The pilot had flown from Appleton, Wisconsin to MSN and was on the ground for approximately one hour prior to the accident departure. During the inbound flight from Appleton, the pilot reported to air traffic control that the airplane picked up moderate rime ice between 3,000 feet and 10,000 feet and that the ice was coming off the airplane as it descended. The pilot stated he did not have any problem controlling the airplane and after landing, he "manually" removed the ice that remained on the airplane, ate breakfast, had the airplane fueled, and walked around to "…confirm no ice remained on wing and other surfaces."
Takeoff and Loss of Control
The pilot reported he began the takeoff rotation at 85 knots and once airborne, the left wing began to drop with no lift being generated from the left wing. The pilot stated he lowered the nose of the airplane and applied right rudder in an attempt to land back on the runway. The airplane veered to the left and impacted the terrain near the intersection of runway 32/14 and taxiway B. The airplane then slid about 900 feet through the intersection and came to rest in the grass north of taxiway C, at which time the pilot and passengers noticed the airplane was on fire. They were unable to open the main cabin door, so they exited through the emergency door.
Damage and Examination
The outboard section of the left wing sustained impact and fire damage. Scorch marks were visible on the pavement and grass along the wreckage path. The entire left side of the airplane was covered with soot from the postimpact fire. The right side of the airplane was relatively soot free, and the outboard section of the right wing was bent upward. The propeller and engine cowling were separated from the airplane. A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration. Flight control continuity was established during the examination, and no failure or malfunction of the airplane was identified that would have resulted in the loss of control.
Witness Reports
Three employees of the fixed base operator (FBO) at MSN reported seeing ice that was 1½ to 2 inches thick on the unprotected surfaces of the wings, the radome on the left wing, around the stall indicator, and on the propeller spinner when the airplane arrived. They reported seeing the pilot breaking the ice off of portions of the airplane with his hands. None of the FBO personnel saw the pilot check the tail surfaces. The pilot was offered deicing services and a heated hangar, but he declined both. Two employees reported hearing one of the passengers voice concern to the pilot about the ice, but the pilot did not seem concerned. The person who fueled the airplane stated it was snowing and sleeting when he fueled the airplane. FBO personnel reported that ice was present on portions of the airplane, including the radome, and snow had accumulated on the wing surfaces when the airplane taxied for takeoff.
Weather Conditions
At 0832, the MSN Automated Surface Observing System recorded weather conditions as: wind calm; 2 miles visibility with light snow and mist; scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast clouds at 1,900 feet; temperature 0 degrees Celsius; dew point minus 2 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.90 inches of mercury.
Flight Data Recorder Information
The airplane was equipped with a Garmin G1000 Integrated Flight Deck. Data from the multi-function display SD card was downloaded by the National Transportation Safety Board's Vehicle Recorder Division. The last seven seconds of data showed that the indicated airspeed increased from 87.63 knots to 95.82 knots. The pitch attitude increased from 1.49 degrees to 15.88 degrees nose up, then decreased to 11.47 degrees nose up, and then further decreased to 11.21 degrees nose down. The left bank angle during the last seven seconds increased from 1.15 degrees to 60.59 degrees.