What happened
On the morning of 28 May 2022, a Beechcraft King Air 200, registration ZS-PTE, departed from Lynedoch Private Airfield in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The flight, operated under Part 91 regulations, was intended to proceed to Cape Town International Aerodrome. The crew consisted of a pilot-in-command and a co-pilot, accompanied by two passengers.
During the takeoff roll on Runway 07, the aircraft encountered an uneven section of the gravel surface. This caused the aircraft to bounce. In an attempt to prevent the nose wheel from striking the ground heavily, the pilot applied back pressure on the control column. This action led to a second unexpected bounce, which left the aircraft airborne in a high-nose attitude. Because the pilot maintained back pressure rather than pushing the column forward to keep the wheels on the ground, the aircraft entered a premature takeoff at a speed significantly below the required rotation speed.
As the aircraft attempted to climb, a stall warning was triggered. Despite the pilot applying full right rudder to correct a leftward yaw, the aircraft continued to veer left, eventually striking a tree before impacting the ground. The aircraft skidded approximately 350 meters after the initial impact. While the passengers remained uninjured, the pilot sustained one minor injury to his head.
The investigation
An investigation into the accident examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the runway conditions, and the flight dynamics. The Beechcraft King Air 200 had a valid maintenance certificate, and the pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and medical certificate. The aircraft's weight and balance were confirmed to be within permissible limits for takeoff.
Physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing tip and undercarriage made contact with the ground first. The impact with a tree caused damage to the left wing leading edge and ruptured fuel pipes. The investigation also noted that the nose gear had separated from the airframe and the right-side undercarriage had collapsed. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's speed during the bounce was approximately 60 knots, which was 34 knots below the required rotation speed (Vr) of 94 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control during takeoff resulting from an early rotation.
- The aircraft experienced multiple bounces due to the uneven surface of the gravel runway.
- The pilot's decision to maintain back pressure on the control column prevented the aircraft from staying on the ground, leading to a stall at insufficient airspeed.