What happened
On June 20, 2004, at approximately 11:30 AM, a private pilot was operating an Air Création Twin GTE 582 ML ultralight aircraft on a local flight near Ravel, France. After landing in a fallow field adjacent to a friend's property, the pilot intended to depart from the same location. During the initial taxiing, the pilot identified a drainage ditch obscured by approximately 40 centimeters of tall grass, which prevented a takeoff along the length of the field. Consequently, the pilot decided to perform a westward takeoff.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered furrows in the ground, causing significant vibrations. During this period, the pilot's right foot slipped off the rudder pedal. This led to a loss of directional control, causing the wing to tilt to the right. Despite attempts to correct the veer, the 63-IL ended its takeoff run by crashing into a ditch approximately 1.5 meters deep at the edge of the field.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the surface conditions of the takeoff site and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators examined the state of the field, noting it had been plowed the previous year and subsequently left fallow. While the pilot was familiar with the property, it was established that this was the pilot's first time landing in this specific field, and they were unaware of its exact surface characteristics, such as the presence of the drainage ditch and the depth of the furrows.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to take off on an unsuitable surface.
- The pilot's flight preparation was insufficient, as the terrain features were not properly assessed before the departure attempt.
- The presence of furrows in the field caused the aircraft to shake, leading to the pilot's foot slipping from the rudder pedal and subsequent loss of control.
- The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the aircraft was heavily damaged.