What happened
On March 20, 2005, a Zlin Aviation Savage ultralight aircraft, identified as 85-NQ, was performing a local flight from the unpaved runway at Fontenay-leLE-Comte. During the takeoff roll on runway 27, the aircraft began drifting toward the left side of the runway. The pilot did not apply corrective rudder inputs to maintain the centerline, believing the runway width was sufficient to accommodate the deviation.
As the aircraft accelerated, the pilot was unable to read the anemometer due to the glare from the setting sun. Believing the aircraft had reached takeoff speed, the pilot applied significant back pressure on the control column. The aircraft became airborne but maintained a high angle of attack. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft veered sharply to the right, causing the right landing gear to strike the ground and break. The impact resulted in damage to the landing gear and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the flight crew's actions. At the time of takeoff, the flaps were retracted, and the trim was set heavily in the nose-up position. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within the manufacturer's specified limits.
Discrepancies were noted between the crew members' accounts regarding control inputs. The passenger stated that the pilot pulled back forcefully on the stick, causing a high angle of attack, and noted that the pilot had reduced engine power to idle during the maneuver. The pilot, however, maintained that he did not feel any external intervention on the controls. The investigation also reviewed the manufacturer's operating manual, which instructs pilots to apply full power progressively, maintain the centerline using rudder pedals, and transition to level flight only after reaching 90 km/h.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain the runway centerline during the takeoff roll.
- The pilot's failure to identify the aircraft had reached the second flight regime (transition to climb) contributed to the loss of control.
- Visual impairment caused by the low angle of the sun prevented the pilot from accurately monitoring airspeed via the anemometer.
- Inappropriate control inputs, specifically an aggressive pitch-up maneuver, led to a high angle of attack and subsequent stall behavior.