What happened
On April 4, 2004, a Jodel D 112 with registration F-BNCJ, operated by a flying club, was participating in a group navigation flight. The flight originated from Beauvais with a planned stop at Abbeville before proceeding to Saint-Valéry. The aircraft, which features a conventional landing gear configuration, arrived at the unpaved runway 20 at Abbeville following two other aircraft.
During the stop, the wind intensified, with gusts reaching significant levels. To assist with the takeoff, the pilot's companion walked alongside the aircraft, manually holding the tail down during the initial stages of the taxi. The pilot eventually stopped the aircraft to allow the passenger to board. After orienting the aircraft toward heading 200° and performing engine tests, the pilot increased power to align with the runway. As the aircraft rolled forward, it was struck by a strong tailwind, causing the nose to pitch forward. Despite the pilot's attempt to correct the pitch by applying full aft elevator and reducing engine power, the propeller struck the ground before the tailwheel could settle.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's handling during the takeoff roll under high-wind conditions. Investigators examined the meteorological reports, which indicated winds of approximately 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots at the time of the incident. It was noted that the aircraft's demonstrated maximum crosswind component is 15 knots, and the conditions at the time significantly exceeded this limit.
Additionally, the investigation looked into the pilot's control inputs. The pilot noted uncertainty regarding whether the control column had been correctly positioned at the start of the alignment. The investigation also considered the fact that other club members had successfully used the same runway for takeoff shortly before the incident.