What happened
On February 17, 1998, a single-seat, amateur-built Pottier P 80 S aircraft, registered F-PBOB, was involved in a takeoff accident at the Le Plessis-Belleville aerodrome. The flight was a local operation conducted under favorable weather conditions, characterized by CAVOK visibility and calm winds.
The pilot, who was flying the aircraft on loan from the owner, was performing his first flight on this specific type. During the takeoff roll on the unpaved runway, the pilot was caught off guard by the aircraft's rapid acceleration. In an attempt to manage the speed, the pilot applied the brakes; however, this action caused the nose gear to strike the ground, leading to its structural failure. The aircraft continued along the runway before coming to a complete stop.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the takeoff roll and the pilot's handling of the aircraft. Investigators examined the pilot's experience, noting that while he held a license since 1981, he had only 228 total flight hours and had no prior experience operating this particular model. The physical damage to the aircraft was assessed, confirming that the nose gear had broken upon impact with the ground.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft's performance characteristics, specifically the rapid acceleration rate.
- The sudden application of braking during the high-speed takeoff roll resulted in the nose gear striking the runway surface and subsequently breaking.