What happened
A Piper PA 28 was attempting a visual flight rules departure from Espanola West, Ontario, bound for Ottawa. The flight was carrying the pilot and three passengers, including an infant. The runway, consisting of grass over uneven and sandy soil, had become soft due to recent rainfall. During the departure sequence, the aircraft experienced two runway excursions before successfully becoming airborne on the third attempt.
Once airborne, the aircraft failed to clear the trees located at the end of the departure path. The plane struck trees to the left of the flight path, causing it to bank and travel sideways through the woods. Upon impact, a severe, fuel-fed fire erupted, quickly consuming the cabin. While the pilot and two passengers managed to escape the wreckage, they were found approximately 40 feet away and later succumbed to burn injuries at a hospital. The infant passenger perished in the aircraft fire.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and determined that the engine was producing high power at the time of the accident, as evidenced by propeller condition and witness accounts. The aircraft's flight control surfaces and cables were found to be intact. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's weight and configuration, noting that the flaps were locked in the 40-degree position.
Analysis of the takeoff performance revealed that the aircraft was at or near its maximum allowable takeoff weight, estimated between 2,300 and 2,400 pounds. While the pilot used a technique intended for soft fields, the use of full flaps (40 degrees) created high drag. This configuration, combined with the heavy weight and the soft runway surface, significantly increased the distance required to clear obstacles.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at or near its maximum takeoff weight.
- The runway surface was soft and grassy due to recent rain, which increased the required ground roll.
- The pilot utilized full flaps (40 degrees), which resulted in a low lift-to-drag ratio and degraded climb performance.
- The combination of high weight, soft surface, and high-drag flap setting prevented the aircraft from climbing sufficiently to clear the trees at the end of the runway.
- An intense fire, likely caused by an electrical short near the battery interacting with fuel vapors, broke out immediately upon impact.