What happened
On 25 July 2015, a Piper PA-32R-300 (registration SE-MDB) was attempting to depart from Varberg Airport in southern Sweden. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and five passengers. To compensate for limited runway availability, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll with a 360-degree turn intended to increase the usable field length.
During the takeoff roll, weather conditions were characterized by gusty winds and light rain. As the aircraft reached rotation speed, the stall warning activated and continued to sound throughout the remainder of the flight. The aircraft subsequently stalled and impacted the ground approximately 500 meters beyond the runway threshold, causing a fire upon impact. The crew and passengers successfully evacuated the wreckage. The incident resulted in two injuries, which were initially categorized as minor, and caused damage to a nearby fence and the surrounding terrain.
The investigation
SHK investigators utilized audio recordings from video devices held by two passengers to reconstruct the flight dynamics. Through sound analysis of these recordings, it was established that the engine was producing maximum available power throughout the entire sequence. The investigators also used the video footage to estimate the aircraft's rotation speed, angle of attack, and height over the runway threshold.
Findings
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by a lack of operational conditions necessary for a safe flight. Specifically, the aircraft's mass and balance were outside of permitted limitations, and the available runway length was insufficient for the aircraft's weight and performance requirements.
Several contributing factors were identified regarding cockpit and cabin safety. No calculations regarding takeoff performance or mass and balance were performed prior to the flight. Additionally, the passengers did not receive a safety briefing, and the shoulder harnesses in the front seats were not utilized during the flight.