On August 17, 1995, a Britten-Norman Islander (registration 4X-CCO) operated by Barak Aviation Services was involved in an aviation accident near Haifa (חֵיפָה), Israel during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to prepare the flight according to procedures. No weight & balance sheet was calculated prior to departure. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was above MTOW and its CofG was too far forward the permissible limit. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
Aircraft registered 4X-CCO. Photo: http://aiai.mot.gov.il/betihut-tisa-cbl/dohot-hakira-via Sky High bulletin / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During takeoff on runway 34, the aircraft's nose gear lifted briefly then touched down. The pilot aborted and braked emergency, but the aircraft overran into a rocky, bushy area. All 11 occupants evacuated; aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Takeoff and Abort
During the takeoff roll on runway 34, at a speed of 65 mph, the pilot pulled up on the control column to rotate. The nose gear lifted off briefly before touching down again. Under these conditions, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and initiated an emergency braking maneuver.
Overrun and Post-Accident
Unable to stop within the remaining distance—the aircraft had already rolled for two-thirds of the runway—the aircraft overran and came to rest in a rocky and bushy area. All 11 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the pilot failed to prepare the flight according to procedures. No weight and balance sheet was calculated prior to departure. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was above maximum takeoff weight, and its center of gravity was too far forward of the permissible limit.
