What happened
On 3 April 2002, a private flight involving an AEROMASTER microlight, registration ZU-CKR, departed from Balito Aerodrome. During the takeoff roll, the pilot attempted to raise the aircraft's tail too rapidly. This action triggered gyroscopic precession, causing the tail to yaw by approximately 10 degrees. Simultaneously, the main wheels crossed an embankment located at the runway's edge, leading to a premature liftoff.
As the aircraft became airborne, the main wheels entered a field of sugar cane adjacent to the runway. The aircraft subsequently mushed into the crop, resulting in significant structural damage. The impact primarily affected the undercarriage, the left-hand aileron, and the left-hand trailing edge of the wing. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight conditions and the pilot's credentials. At the time of the incident, meteorological conditions were excellent, characterized by calm winds, good visibility, and no cloud cover, with temperatures around 18ºC. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had been maintained according to required standards. However, aviation records indicated that the pilot was not properly rated for this specific aircraft type.