What happened
On June 17, 2022, at 16:40 local time, a Socata TB 200, registration OM-MKM, was attempting to take off from the Miroslav AirCon (LKMIRA) public airfield. The aircraft, operated by a Slovakian company, was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
The pilot elected to use runway 12, choosing this direction because the runway slopes downward, which he believed would help compensate for a headwind of approximately 5 to 10 knots. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 80 knots before the pilot attempted to rotate. However, a sudden gust of wind pushed the aircraft back toward the runway, causing the wheels to make contact with the ground again.
Following this second contact, the pilot attempted to use heavy braking to stop the aircraft with the intention of performing a new takeoff attempt. The aircraft was unable to stop within the runway limits, overran the pavement, and entered a field containing sunflower crops approximately 60 cm in height. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to both wings, the landing gear, the propeller, and the forward fuselage. All four occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation utilized pilot and passenger statements alongside data from a SkyDemon flight recording application. The investigation examined the aircraft's weight and balance, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's decision-making process.
Investigators analyzed the takeoff roll via the SkyDemon logs, which showed the aircraft accelerating from 0 km/h to speeds exceeding 160 km/h before the excursion. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's weight calculations, noting that initial estimates placed the takeoff weight (TOW) as high as 43–54 kg above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), though later corrected data suggested the TOW was approximately 99.5% of the MTOW.
Findings
- The pilot did not properly evaluate the real-world impact of the wind direction, wind speed, and runway surface on the required takeoff distance according to the Pilot's Information Manual (PIM).
- The pilot failed to utilize the full length of the available runway.
- A tailwind component negatively impacted the takeoff roll and lift-off.
- The pilot's decision to take off with a weight very close to the MTOW, while not utilizing the full runway and facing unpredictable wind conditions, was the primary cause of the accident.