What happened
On November 10, 2002, at 15:15, a SOCATA TB 10, registration F-GFET, was performing a local flight from Chelles aerodrome with the pilot and three passengers. The aircraft was operating on runway 22, an unpaved surface measuring 600 by 100 meters.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied maximum engine power with the brakes held. As the aircraft reached approximately 50 knots—notably below the recommended takeoff speed of 65 knots—the pilot attempted to lift the nose gear. Sensing that the aircraft was not rotating effectively, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. In the process of reducing power and pulling back on the control column, the right wing lifted, causing the tail cone and the left wingtip to strike the runway surface.
Following the aborted takeoff, the aircraft slid across the wet grass. To avoid a fence located near the end of the runway, the pilot applied asymmetric braking to turn left while simultaneously increasing power. During this maneuver, the right wing made contact with the ground. The aircraft eventually returned to its parking position.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance on the specific runway conditions and the pilot's decision-making. The aircraft was operating without wheel fairings at the time of the accident. The pilot had performed several circuit patterns on the same runway two hours prior to the accident and had not noted any unusual levels of saturation.
Investigators reviewed the flight manual's performance data. At a takeoff mass of approximately 960 kg, the manual specifies a takeoff roll of 325 meters on a dry, paved runway under standard conditions. The manual also mandates that these distances must be increased by more than 37% for wet or muddy terrain. The investigation also noted that heavy rain had fallen in the preceding days, leaving the unpaved runway significantly wet.
Findings
- The pilot failed to sufficiently account for the wet condition of the unpaved runway when calculating takeoff performance.
- The pilot's control inputs during the aborted takeoff were inappropriate, leading to the wingtip and tail cone striking the ground.
- The aircraft was traveling at 50 knots during the rotation attempt, which was below the recommended 65 knots.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the left and right wingtips, the left aileron, and the tail cone.