What happened
On 19 June 2019, a Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III, registration F-ODSM, was performing a private cross-country flight from Pointe-à-Pitre le Raizet airport in Guadeloupe to Antigua and Barbuda. After lining up on runway 12 from taxiway Q, the pilot initiated a takeoff with the flaps retracted.
Shortly after liftoff, the pilot experienced a decrease in engine power, specifically a drop in manifold pressure while propeller RPM remained stable. The pilot attempted to manage the situation by adjusting engine controls and switching fuel tanks. As the aircraft began a left-hand turn to enter a landing circuit, the engine suffered a total loss of power. To avoid a shopping center parking lot and potential ground casualties, the pilot increased the aircraft'-s pitch attitude to maintain altitude. This maneuver caused the aircraft to lose airspeed, leading to a collision with a streetlight and a palm tree before the plane impacted the ground in a wasteland area. The pilot sustained one injury, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA examined video surveillance footage from the airport, which allowed investigators to map the flight path and determine that the takeoff run was significantly longer than expected. Analysis showed the takeoff run reached 640 meters, more than double the distance calculated from the flight manual for the day's conditions. The investigation also included an examination of the wreckage, which revealed that the engine controls were positioned for maximum power and that the landing gear was extended. While no external engine damage was found, the propeller deformation suggested low power at the moment of impact.
Findings
Investigators concluded that the engine was likely not producing full power from the start of the takeoff run. The pilot, due to familiarity with the airport and the non-restrictive nature of the runway, failed to detect the degraded performance during the initial roll. The following factors contributed to the accident:
- A failure to sufficiently monitor engine parameters during the takeoff run.
- Failure to recognize the increased takeoff distance required before rotation.
- Difficulty in assessing the severity of the engine failure, which impacted the pilot's ability to maintain control of the flight path during the forced landing.
Safety action
To prevent similar occurrences, the investigation emphasizes that pilots must treat the takeoff roll as a supplementary engine test. It is essential to verify that all engine parameters comply with the manufacturer's recommended values for the specific temperature, pressure, and altitude of the day.