What happened
On November 15, 2002, an Agusta/Siai Marchetti F260D, registration I-ISAA, was performing training maneuvers at Ferrara Airport. The flight, operated by Aero Club di Bologna, involved a pilot and a passenger. After completing an initial touch-and-go on runway 27R, the aircraft prepared for a second maneuver on runway 09L.
During the takeoff phase of the second touch-and-go, the aircraft failed to accelerate sufficiently. The aircraft subsequently struck the grass adjacent to the runway with its landing gear retracted and flaps extended. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, wingtips, and fuselage.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's actions. Investigators examined the wreckage and found the landing gear in the fully retracted position. Testing confirmed that the landing gear system was fully functional and could be extended without difficulty.
Engine performance was also scrutinized. Laboratory analysis of the fuel showed no signs of contamination, and a subsequent bench test of the Lycoming engine demonstrated that it operated normally at full power without any mechanical anomalies or vibrations.
Discrepancies were noted regarding flight documentation; while the flight plan filed at Bologna listed the passenger as the pilot-in-command, the occupants later clarified that the qualified pilot was actually in control. Furthermore, while the pilot did not report any technical issues during the maneuvers, a ground witness reported that the pilot had previously requested a visual check of the landing gear, suggesting a period of uncertainty regarding the gear's position.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of aircraft control due to an incorrect configuration following an improper execution of the touch-and-go maneuver.
- Specifically, while the pilot applied full throttle, they failed to adjust the propeller pitch lever, leaving the propeller in the maximum pitch position, which prevented the engine from generating sufficient thrust to increase airspeed.
- The pilot's limited experience on this specific aircraft type contributed to the error.
- The pilot's recent flight experience on the F260D was very low, with only one hour of flight on the type in the 80 days preceding the accident.