What happened
On August 29, 2020, a Diamond DA-40D, registration SP-AKS, was preparing for a private flight from a private airstrip at Sady Kolonia (EPSX) to Płock (EPPL). The flight had been delayed due to unfavorable weather caused by a passing cold front, but the pilot decided to proceed once conditions improved around 17:00 local time.
During the takeoff roll on runway heading 260°, the pilot perceived that the engine was not reaching maximum power and that the aircraft's airspeed was not increasing appropriately. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff; however, the remaining runway length was insufficient to bring the aircraft to a safe stop. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and entered an adjacent uncultivated field. The impact caused the nose gear leg to break, damaged the propeller, and caused damage to the lower fuselage. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's qualifications, and the environmental factors. Technical inspections of the engine, conducted by the aircraft's maintenance organization and a separate firm in Austria, revealed no irregularities or malfunctions. Analysis of the engine's operational records showed no deviations during the event, and fuel samples were not required for testing. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within limits and that the runway surface was in good condition, being well-drained, level, and firm.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the incorrect assessment of the airspeed acceleration during the takeoff roll.
- The pilot initiated the aborted takeoff too late, leaving insufficient distance to stop before the end of the runway.
- Contributing factors included the pilot's limited flight experience, specifically having only 18 hours and 46 minutes of flight time on the Diamond DA-40D, and a 31-day gap in operations on this specific aircraft type.