What happened
On September 7, 2024, a Cessna FR172H was participating in a fly-in at the Soest/Bad Sassendorf airfield. Following the departure of a Kodiak 100, the pilot began the takeoff roll on runway 25. Witnesses noted that the aircraft's takeoff roll was unusually long and that the engine sound was not typical for this type of aircraft. The aircraft experienced a tailstrike and rotated after approximately 350 meters of ground roll.
During the initial climb, the aircraft maintained an unusually high angle of attack. Despite radio communications from the airfield manager instructing the pilot to lower the nose, the aircraft failed to recover. At an altitude of approximately 25 meters, the Cessna FR172H entered an exaggerated flight state, stalled to the left, and struck the ground near the end of the runway. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the cockpit configuration, and the flight environment. Investigators found that a mechanic had inspected the engine approximately two weeks prior and noted an issue with the fuel injection system that caused the engine to run unevenly under full load, with a maximum RPM below the rated value.
Regarding the cockpit, investigators found that the pilot's seatback had reclined to an angle of approximately 145 degrees. While the seat remained attached to the rails, the adjustment levers had disengaged from their guides. The BFU noted that this reclining could have occurred during boarding due to lateral forces, which might have caused an abrupt pull on the control column during the takeoff roll.
Findings
- The aircraft entered an exaggerated flight state during the initial climb, leading to a stall and subsequent impact.
- The aircraft experienced an uncoordinated and uncorrected flight attitude following takeoff.
- The takeoff roll was approximately 28% longer than calculated, likely due to reduced engine performance caused by a known fuel injection issue.
- The pilot's seatback was in a significantly reclined position, which may have contributed to an abrupt control input.
- The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits.