What happened
On 18 December 2003, a UFM-10 Samba X190, registered as ZU-CUE, was involved in an accident during a private flight operation near Antwerpen Aerodrome. While attempting to depart from Runway 36, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll with an indicated airspeed of 40 knots. During the maneuver, the aircraft was subjected to a 15-knot tailwind component. As the aircraft became airborne, a sudden gust increased this tailwind, making it impossible for the pilot to maintain the necessary altitude and directional stability. Consequently, the aircraft struck bushes and the ground approximately 5 nautical miles north of Hoedspruit.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the takeoff roll and the pilot's assessment of environmental conditions. It was established that the pilot had misread the windsock, leading to an unintended takeoff into a tailwind. Meteorological data at the time indicated a temperature of 20°C and a surface wind from 180 degrees at 15 knots, with good visibility. The aircraft was relatively new in its current inspection cycle, having recorded only 48.38 airframe hours since its last inspection in May 2003.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's misinterpretation of the wind direction prior to takeoff.
- The presence of a 15-knot tailwind component significantly impacted the aircraft's performance.
- An unexpected wind gust further degraded the pilot's ability to maintain control of the aircraft's heading and climb rate.
- The accident resulted in one injury to the pilot, who sustained back injuries, and minor injuries to the passenger.