What happened
On 20 January 2009, a DA 42 Twin Star, registration G-SUEA, was involved in an accident at Lands End Aerodrome, Cornwall. The aircraft was performing a private flight following a period of poor weather. Upon arrival, the pilot noted the airfield's grass surface was particularly wet. During taxiing from the hardstanding to the grass area, the aircraft became bogged down in soft ground.
After the aircraft was towed back to the hardstanding by Airport Fire Services, the pilot performed checks and noted a warning light indicating a failure in the left engine control system (ECU). Despite this, the pilot attempted a takeoff from a position adjacent to the normal threshold of Runway 25. During the takeoff roll, the pilot experienced a pull to the left and subsequently aborted the attempt.
As the aircraft accelerated, it crossed the airfield boundary into a ploughed field. The aircraft immediately nosed over in the very soft ground and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries during the event.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's engine control units and the airfield conditions. Analysis of the engine parameters showed that both engines had developed full power during the final takeoff attempt. The investigation also reviewed the available runway distance, noting that a NOTAM had reduced the takeoff run available due to soft ground conditions. The investigation found that the aircraft travelled approximately 350 m from its start position before the nose-over occurred.
Findings
- The takeoff distance available was insufficient for the aircraft to become airborne under the prevailing conditions.
- The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from the runway, despite the previous bogging incident and the engine warning, was ill-advised.
- The aircraft encountered extremely soft ground beyond the airfield boundary, leading to the inversion.