What happened
A private flight involving a crew of two and two passengers ended in a fatal accident during the takeoff phase. Prior to departure, the cockpit voice recorder indicated that while the pilot in command was verbalizing items from the before takeoff checklist, the crew failed to perform a proper challenge-response for the taxi, before takeoff, or takeoff checklists. Additionally, no crew briefing was conducted, and there was no verbal confirmation regarding the release of the parking brake.
As the aircraft type began its takeoff roll on a 3,66-ft-long asphalt runway that sloped slightly upward, the engines were set to 91% N1. While the pilot monitoring provided standard airspeed callouts, flight data revealed that the aircraft's longitudinal acceleration was approximately 33% lower than observed during previous departures. At the moment of the rotate callout, the airspeed was roughly 104 knots, but the aircraft failed to lift off at the expected runway position. The cockpit voice recorder captured the sound of physical straining, suggesting the pilot was pulling back on the control yoke in an attempt to force rotation.
Both pilots expressed surprise that the aircraft was not responding as expected. The aircraft continued down the runway, with the elevator position increasing to +16° nose up, yet the pitch attitude remained largely unchanged while the wheels remained on the ground. Once the aircraft reached the end of the airport terrain, where the ground elevation dropped by 20 to 25 feet, the weight-on-wheels sensors transitioned to air mode. At this point, the aircraft pitched up sharply to nearly 22° in less than two seconds. In response to this sudden pitch, the pilot applied forward elevator input, which triggered a stall warning and the activation of the stick shaker.
Following the loss of control, the right engine struck a pole located past the runway end. The aircraft then rolled to the right into an inverted position, struck the ground, and collided with an occupied building. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft, resulting in four fatalities among the occupants. On the ground, four injuries were reported, including one person who sustained serious injuries.
Findings
- The crew failed to complete essential pre-takeoff procedures, including a formal crew briefing and the challenge-response format for taxi and takeoff checklists.
- The aircraft failed to rotate at the appropriate point on the runway, leading to a sudden and uncontrolled pitch-up once the terrain elevation changed.