What happened
On July 26, 2000, at approximately 14:30 local time, a student pilot was conducting a solo flight for instructional purposes at Salamanca Airport. The flight was intended to consist of several takeoffs and landings. After completing an initial landing, the pilot applied power for a subsequent takeoff from runway 03. As the SOCATA TB-10 began to lift off, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff; however, directional control could not be maintained. The aircraft exited the left side of the runway and traveled across the grass strip, where the propeller struck a small mound before the aircraft came to a stop. The aircraft sustained minor damage, specifically involving deformed propeller blade tips and potential internal engine damage. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft configuration and environmental conditions at the time of the incident. It was determined that the pilot had increased engine power for takeoff but failed to retract the flaps from the "full flap" setting used during the previous landing. This configuration resulted in the aircraft becoming airborne at a lower speed than required for a standard takeoff due to the increased lift provided by the flaps.
Meteorological data showed a wind from 330 degrees at 8 knots. This wind produced a 4-knot headwind component and a 7-knot crosswind component from the left. The investigation established that as the nose wheel left the pavement, the loss of directional control from the nose wheel, combined with reduced rudder effectiveness due to low airspeed, allowed the crosswind to push the aircraft's vertical stabilizer to the left.
Findings
- The pilot failed to change the flap configuration from landing to takeoff settings, causing the aircraft to rotate at an insufficient airspeed.
- A 7-knot crosswind component from the left acted on the vertical stabilizer, causing a leftward deviation.
- The loss of nose wheel contact with the runway reduced the pilot's ability to maintain directional control.
- The primary cause of the incident was the lack of experience of the student pilot.