Accident Overview
On 27 April 2002, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration ZS-NOT) was operating a domestic charter flight from Northam Aerodrome to Messina Aerodrome. The aircraft carried one pilot and six passengers. At 1100Z, during takeoff on Runway 16, the pilot rotated the aircraft and attempted to fly at an airspeed too low for the conditions. As a result, the aircraft sank back onto the runway surface after the undercarriage was retracted. The prevailing weather was fine, with high density altitude noted. No persons on board were injured or killed.
Maintenance Findings
Investigation revealed that the aircraft was not maintained as required. The time to the next Mandatory Periodic Inspection had been exceeded by an unknown number of flying hours.
Probable Cause
The pilot rotated and attempted to fly the aircraft at too low airspeed. This gave rise to the aircraft ending up on the wrong side of the drag curve and sinking back onto the runway after the undercarriage was retracted.
Contributing factors were the error in the reading of the airspeed indicator at the lower range and the high density altitude.