What happened
On August 31, 2015, at approximately 13:30 LMT, a private Skyleader 600 was performing a takeoff roll from the EPJA airfield on runway heading 12. Approximately five meters into the takeoff roll, the nose wheel encountered a sandy section of the runway surface, causing it to sink into the ground. The resulting dynamic load on the nose gear strut caused the locking link to fail. As the nose gear collapsed, the aircraft pitched forward onto its engine, causing damage to the lower engine cowling and both propeller blades.
The pilot sustained no injuries and was able to exit the cockpit safely. Following the incident, the pilot documented the scene and the damage with photographs. A police report was filed, and a breathalyzer test administered to the pilot confirmed a blood alcohol content of 0.00 mg/dm3.
The investigation
The investigation was initiated following a report from the pilot and supported by official documentation from the local police in Puck. The investigation team reviewed photographic evidence provided by the pilot, which clearly showed the furrow in the runway surface that caused the sudden deceleration and mechanical failure. The materials provided were sufficient for the commission to conclude the investigation.
Findings
- The pilot failed to properly assess the runway surface conditions at the start of the takeoff roll.
- There was a lack of marking on portions of the airfield where the surface strength is insufficient for safe flight operations.