What happened
During an on-demand charter flight carrying eight passengers, the aircraft was taxiing toward the departure runway when the co-pilot used a mobile phone to contact air traffic control for departure clearance. During this period, the pilot performed a rudder bias check and engaged the parking brake without communicating these actions to the co-pilot.
As the flight proceeded to the runway, the crew identified and corrected an unsafe trim setting indicated by a NO TAKEOFF warning. Once the aircraft was lined up and takeoff power was applied, the co-pilot noted a lack of forward movement. Although the pilot observed the aircraft rolling and requested airspeed callouts, the aircraft failed to lift off despite the pilot pulling back on the yoke twice.
Approximately 16 seconds after the initial power application, the pilot realized the aircraft was consuming excessive runway length. In an attempt to stop the plane, the pilot applied maximum braking and full thrust reversers. The aircraft type failed to depart the runway surface, exiting the departure end of the runway and impacting a ditch approximately 1,990 feet beyond the pavement. The aircraft was destroyed by a fire following the impact. There were zero fatalities and zero injuries among the crew and passengers.
Findings
- The pilot performed checklist items, including a rudder bias check and the application of the parking brake, without verbalizing these actions to the co-pilot.
- Communication was interrupted because the co-pilot was using a mobile phone to contact air traffic control.