What happened
On June 29, 2008, at approximately 12:05 local time, a Glaser Dirks DG-400 motoveloplaner, registration EC-HYL, was performing a takeoff from runway 17 at the Igualada-Odena Aerodrome in Barcelona. The pilot intended to conduct a flight over the Pyrenees mountains using the aircraft's Rotax 505 engine.
As the aircraft reached high speed during the takeoff roll and was approaching rotation, the right wingtip made contact with the runway surface. This contact caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline to the right. As the aircraft moved off the paved surface, the pilot attempted to regain control, but the wing struck an embankment located to the right of the runway. The impact caused the left wing and the rest of the airframe to lift momentarily before the aircraft struck the ground with its nose and subsequently overturned. The pilot sustained no injuries during the event.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the sequence of the takeoff roll. It was noted that the Glaser Dirks DG-400 has a wingspan of 17 meters and is equipped with small fiber wheels on the wingtips, as well as a steerable tailwheel. Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as having a light wind of approximately 8 knots from 160 degrees and very few clouds.
Findings
- The accident was caused by a loss of control on the ground.
- The initial contact between the right wingtip and the runway surface induced a directional deviation that the pilot could not counteract.