What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-05-27 involved a Socata Groupe Aerospatiale TB 10, at Konstanz, DE.

Socata TB 10 Crashes into Trees During Takeoff in Konstanz

On May 27, 2012, a Socata Groupe Aerospatiale TB 10 was involved in an aviation accident near Konstanz, DE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced an unstable takeoff characterized by premature rotation and insufficient climb performance, leading to a collision with trees and subsequent fire. This summary draws on records from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU).

A private flight involving a Socata TB 10 ended in a fatal-risk accident when the aircraft struck trees and caught fire after an unstable takeoff from a grass runway.

What happened

On May 27, 2012, a Socata TB 10 departed from the grass runway 30 at Konstanz Airfield (EDTZ) for a private VFR flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. During the takeoff roll, observers noted that the nose wheel lifted at a relatively low speed. The aircraft briefly rotated and touched down again near the runway markings, a movement that may have been influenced by surface irregularities on the grass strip.

Following this, the aircraft continued to roll for approximately 200 meters with the nose wheel still raised. The aircraft eventually lifted off near the end of the runway but failed to gain significant altitude. After passing the end of the runway, the aircraft flew over a line of bushes (3–6 meters high) and then, approximately 340 meters past the runway end, was suddenly pulled upward. The aircraft collided with trees at heights of 12–14 meters and 8 meters, before striking dense brushwood. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire, resulting in two serious injuries.

The investigation

The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the runway surface, and the flight parameters. The investigation established that the aircraft's takeoff mass was approximately 1,005 kg, well within its maximum takeoff weight of 1,150 kg. The aircraft, a single-engine low-wing design, was in a valid state of airworthiness, with its last 50-hour inspection completed in September 2011.

Investigators noted that the airfield's manual indicated a required takeoff distance of approximately 550 meters for the given conditions, and 800 meters to clear a 15-meter obstacle. The investigation also reviewed the runway condition, noting that the grass strip was uneven and contained paved sections at the beginning of the runway.

Findings

The aircraft's nose wheel lifted prematurely during the takeoff roll.
The aircraft failed to maintain sufficient altitude after passing the runway end.
The aircraft struck trees and brushwood, leading to structural failure and a post-crash fire.
The takeoff roll was performed on an uneven grass runway with varying surface conditions.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced an unstable takeoff characterized by premature rotation and insufficient climb performance, leading to a collision with trees and subsequent fire.

2012-05-27: Socata Groupe Aerospatiale TB 10 — Konstanz, DE