What happened
On October 7, 2016, a DR400-180, registration F-HBAR, was performing a round-trip flight between the Vinon and Fayence aerodromes. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers. During the return leg of the flight, the pilot lined up on runway 10R at the Fayence aerodrome, positioning the aircraft approximately 100 meters after the start of the runway.
Upon releasing the brakes at takeoff power, the aircraft rolled for approximately 200 meters before the pilot initiated rotation. The aircraft climbed only a few meters before descending back into contact with the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff attempt, but the aircraft drifted to the left and exited the runway laterally. In an attempt to avoid an embankment at the end of the runway, the pilot pulled back on the controls, causing the landing gear to strike the embankment and become detached. The aircraft then climbed briefly before colliding with the ground approximately 50 meters further along.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's takeoff performance and the pilot's actions. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was at its maximum takeoff weight. The available takeoff distance on runway 10R was 585 meters. The pilot, who had been flying for 284 hours since 2006, stated that he rotated the aircraft when he estimated it had reached a speed of 100 km/h, though he noted he likely relied on visual cues rather than checking the airspeed indicator. The investigation established that immediately upon rotation, the engine dropped to a second power setting.
Findings
- The pilot failed to monitor flight parameters during the takeoff roll.
- The aircraft reached rotation at insufficient speed.
- The pilot continued the takeoff attempt despite the loss of engine power to the second regime.