What happened
On April 5, 2015, an Aeropro Eurofox 912 (S), registration G-UIRI, was performing a private local flight between the Ontur and Alhama de Murcia aerodromes. During the takeoff roll on runway 13 at the Ontur aerodrome, the aircraft rotated after approximately 120 meters of ground roll, having started the takeoff run 290 meters from the end of the runway.
At an altitude of approximately 5 meters, the pilot noticed the aircraft was struggling to climb. Fearing the aircraft would not clear the road located at the end of the runway, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. Due to the limited remaining runway length, the pilot performed a right turn and deployed full flaps to execute an emergency landing in an olive grove situated between the runway end and the roadway. Both the pilot and the passenger were uninjured, though the aircraft sustained significant damage to the landing gear, propeller, wings, and fuselage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot, observing a previous aircraft landing on runway 13, assumed that runway was the correct choice for departure. However, the wind conditions at the time were from the north at approximately 15 knots. Because the aircraft departed on runway 13, it was actually operating with a tailwind.
Investigators noted that the local topography, specifically the nearby mountain to the north, creates rotor effects over the runway when north winds are present. The investigation found that the pilot was unaware of the tailwind and the associated rotor conditions at the moment of takeoff. Consequently, the aircraft rotated at a speed insufficient to ensure a safe climb gradient.
Findings
- The pilot performed the takeoff using the incorrect runway, resulting in a tailwind component.
- The presence of wind rotors caused by the local terrain contributed to the aircraft's inability to gain sufficient altitude.
- The pilot's lack of awareness regarding the specific wind direction and its impact on the runway choice led to an insufficient takeoff speed.
- The low altitude and limited runway remaining prevented a more controlled landing choice.