What happened
On 24 August 2025, a private Piper PA-28-140, registration D-EDVJ, was attempting a return flight from Skånes-Fagerhult Airport to Höganäs. During the takeoff roll on runway 35, the aircraft encountered gusty north-westerly winds, with gusts reaching 26 knots. The pilot failed to reach the necessary speed to clear the rising terrain and forest located immediately beyond the runway end.
Instead of accelerating to the best angle of climb speed, the pilot used excess speed after rotation to attempt a climb. This maneuver caused the airspeed to drop below the required threshold. As the aircraft approached the tree line, the pilot raised the nose further, causing the aircraft to enter the back side of the drag curve, where increasing pitch only increases drag and reduces altitude. While the pilot briefly gained speed in a small clearing, the aircraft could not clear a subsequent copse of trees. In a final instinctive attempt to avoid a nose-first impact, the pilot pulled back on the control yoke, exceeding the critical angle of 15 degrees and causing a loss of lift just before the collision. The aircraft sustained significant damage, though the passenger sustained only minor injuries.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the aircraft, the accident site, and meteorological data. The investigation included interviews with the pilot, the passenger, and a witness. Technical examinations of D-EDVJ revealed no mechanical failures or technical deficiencies that contributed to the accident.
Investigators analyzed the takeoff performance requirements, noting that the pilot relied on a digital application for runway information which listed a length of 590 meters, but did not account for the fact that the effective distance was only 520 meters due to the encroaching terrain. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot did not account for the increased takeoff distance required for a grass runway or the impact of the gusty winds.
Findings
- The required takeoff distance to clear obstacles exceeded the available runway length when accounting for the grass surface.
- The pilot did not follow recommended takeoff procedures, specifically failing to prioritize reaching the best angle of climb speed.
- Gusty winds created a risk of turbulence and downdrafts that reduced the aircraft's climb performance.
- The aircraft entered a low-speed state on the wrong side of the drag curve, making a climb impossible without first descending to gain airspeed.
- The pilot's instinctive pull on the control yoke caused the aircraft to exceed the critical angle of attack.