What happened
On June 17, 2023, a private IFR flight operated a Daher TBM 900, registration N44WN, departing from Narsarsuaq (BGBW) for Reykjavik (BIRK). During the pre-departure phase, the Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) operator advised the pilot that runway 24 was the expected runway for departure, with winds reported at 260 degrees at 9 knots. However, the pilot, perceiving a need to depart from runway 06 due to local traffic, initiated a rolling takeoff from taxiway Alpha toward runway 06.
As the aircraft accelerated, the pilot encountered what appeared to be an object on the runway, causing the aircraft to rotate prematurely. The aircraft subsequently descended below the runway elevation and overran the threshold, traveling into an area of gravel and rocks. The impact caused substantial damage to the left-hand wing structure, including deformation of the inboard lower skin and ribs, as well as sheared rivet heads that resulted in a fuel leak. Despite the collision, the pilot continued the flight to the destination, where ground personnel later discovered fuel spots on a taxiway.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's decision-making, the aircraft's performance requirements, and the aerodrome environment. Investigators analyzed the takeoff distances, noting that while the non-published distance from position Alpha to the end of runway 06 was 530 meters, the required ground roll for the actual conditions—including an 8-knot tailwind—was calculated at 509 meters.
Further examination of the site revealed that the area beyond the runway threshold contained chevron markings and gravel, which may have created a visual illusion of a longer available runway. The investigation also looked into the pilot's familiarity with the aerodrome and the lack of updated performance calculations for this specific departure.