What happened
Following a flight from Gander to Charlottetown, Newfoundland and Labrador, a PA-31, registration C-GMTT, attempted a second departure toward Sango Bay. During the initial take-off roll on Runway 10, the pilot aborted the maneuver. After repositioning to Runway 28, the pilot commenced a second take-off roll without stopping to run up the engines to full power. The aircraft lifted off just before the end of the runway and remained at a very low altitude.
As the aircraft climbed, the stall warning horn sounded intermittently. Unable to clear the rising terrain, the aircraft struck a gravel road approximately 1.5 nautical miles from the runway end. The impact caused the aircraft to slide off the road and strike a rock embankment, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft. The accident resulted in three fatalities and one serious injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's weight and balance, finding that the aircraft was significantly over its maximum allowable take-off weight. Calculations indicated the aircraft weighed approximately 7,780 pounds at the Gander departure, exceeding the limit by 940 pounds. At the time of the Charlottetown departure, the aircraft was estimated to be at least 260 pounds over the maximum allowable weight.
Technical analysis of the engines and flight controls showed no mechanical discrepancies or failures prior to the impact. However, investigators noted that the cargo, which included heavy tools and machinery, was not secured with the available cargo net. The investigation also noted that the pilot's flight manuals were not on board the aircraft, and the aircraft's journey logbook had not been updated recently.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in an overweight condition, which reduced its climb performance.
- The pilot utilized an improper short-field take-off technique by failing to run the engines up to power before the roll, which increased the required ground distance.
- The aircraft was forced into the air before reaching a sufficient flying speed, leaving no margin to clear the rising terrain.
- Turbulence on the lee side of the hills and the aircraft's proximity to its stall speed contributed to the inability to maintain altitude.
- Unsecured cargo contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by the passengers.