Synopsis
On 4 May 2002, at approximately 0730Z, a Tecnam P92-S Echo (registration ZU-CKE) departed from Battlefields Country Lodge near Dundee, South Africa, for a private flight. The pilot and one passenger were on board. The aircraft was operating under visual meteorological conditions with a wind from 027° gusting, good visibility, and a temperature of 12°C. The runway was Runway 27 with a grass surface, an available take-off distance of about 800 meters, and a slight uphill slope. The pilot elected to perform a soft-field take-off with 15° of flap.
Accident Details
The pilot used a substantial portion of the runway before the aircraft became airborne. According to the report, the aircraft was “launched with meaning” before sufficient aileron, rudder, and elevator authority was established, causing the aircraft to yaw toward the 10 o’clock direction, facing spectators and parked vehicles. The pilot maintained full throttle and managed to turn right, after which a hard landing occurred to the left of the runway. The aircraft bounced, and the pilot kept power on while attempting to correct away from people. On the second touchdown, the pilot closed the throttle and applied back pressure, leading to a third bounce. Brakes were then applied, and the main wheel encountered a slight embankment next to the runway, causing the aircraft to turn toward a 44 US gallon drum. The nose gear strut impacted the drum, as did the propeller. The aircraft’s momentum carried it over the drum, and it came to rest on its starboard wing and elevator. Both the pilot and passenger evacuated without injury.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the report, is that the pilot elected for a downwind take-off (wind from the 4 o’clock position) with an uphill sloping grass runway, close to the maximum certified take-off mass of the aircraft. He was unable to obtain sufficient flying speed and stalled the aircraft, followed by an uncontrollable landing.