Accident Flight
On 11 March 2007 at 1615 UTC, a DHC-2 Turbo-Beaver, registration OY-JRR, operated by an aerial work company for parachute operations, attempted takeoff from Runway 21 at Headcorn Airfield, Kent. The pilot had conducted ten previous flights that day, with multiple refuelings. For the accident flight, the aircraft was refueled with 100 liters of Jet A1 at 1555 UTC and taxied to Runway 21 shortly before 1605 UTC. Witnesses reported that the aircraft accelerated normally, but the tail did not rise in its usual manner prior to becoming airborne. The onboard jump-master observed the aircraft passing the refueling installation and several parked aircraft, beyond the intersection with Runway 29, noting that it had not become airborne by the normal lift-off point. He then heard the pilot shout "Abort." A parachutist instructed the others to brace. The aircraft stopped abruptly when its left wing and cockpit collided with a parked F100 fighter aircraft, which was displayed as a museum exhibit to the left of Runway 21. The cockpit and left wing sustained substantial damage, and the nose section collapsed, bringing the propeller to the ground.
Background
The aircraft, a DHC-2 Mk.III Turbo-Beaver (year of manufacture 1966), was powered by one Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop engine. The pilot, aged 36, held a Commercial Pilot's Licence with a DHC-2 Turbo-Beaver rating issued on 7 February 2007. He had 932 total flying hours, with 27 hours on type. The pilot had conducted 13 lifts the previous day. On the accident day, he recorded the first lift at 0927 UTC. After three flights, the aircraft was refueled with 230 liters. The pilot requested the use of Runway 21 due to a freshening southerly wind, but the air/ground radio operator initially refused because the pilot had not been checked out for that runway. The pilot then approached a nominated check pilot, who observed a flight and briefed the pilot on procedures, emphasizing early abort decisions. The check pilot deemed the flight satisfactory. Subsequent flights were from Runway 21, with one noted as having a shallower climb gradient, attributed to decreased wind speed.
Aerodrome Information
Headcorn Airfield is a grass aerodrome with two landing strips. Runway 11/29 is licensed with a declared takeoff distance of 840 m. Runway 21/03 is unlicensed; its length was stated as 312 m in the aerodrome manual, but other sources quoted 549 m. The aerodrome operator had reduced the nominal length to comply with licensing standards but did not provide threshold markings, leaving the runway unlicensed. The operator considered that the runway's actual usable length was 549 m historically. The museum adjacent to the aerodrome included several non-airworthy parked aircraft, including the F100, which was difficult to distinguish from the skyline due to its camouflage paintwork.
Investigation
Following the collision, the cabin occupants evacuated with assistance. The pilot remained unconscious and was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as multiple injuries consistent with the impact. No natural disease was found, and toxicology tests were negative. The aviation pathologist considered the accident potentially survivable for the eight parachutists, who sustained very few injuries (one minor). The impact of the cockpit with the parked aircraft caused the pilot's fatal injuries. The post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the flap selector valve was in the UP position, consistent with the flaps not being selected for takeoff. However, the position of the valve lever does not reliably indicate the last flap selection due to the hydraulic system design.